But we still need you to test. Self-collect if you prefer.
About cervical cancer in Australia
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers — which is very good news for all of us.
Thanks to HPV vaccination and regular screening, Australia has more than halved cervical cancer rates since the early 1990s, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. In fact, we’re on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035!
That’s a big win — and it mostly comes down to people turning up for a test they’d often rather avoid.
Under the National Cervical Screening Program, people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 are invited to have a Cervical Screening Test every five years.
But 1 in 4 of us are overdue for our screening. Reports show that about 70 percent of cervical cancers are diagnosed in people who have never been screened or are not up to date with screening.
Think of screening as a quiet bit of future-proofing — a small appointment that can save a lot of stress later.
Prevention: doing the heavy lifting early
The HPV vaccine is our first line of defence. It’s offered free to adolescents through school programs and protects against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers, according to Cancer Council Australia.
Even if you’ve been vaccinated (gold star ⭐), screening still matters. The vaccine does a lot of the heavy lifting — but screening checks for what vaccination can’t catch.
If you or your child missed vaccination at school, your GP can discuss catch-up options.
Screening: quicker than your coffee order
The Cervical Screening Test looks for human papillomavirus (HPV) — the virus responsible for almost all cervical cancers. It’s done every five years, not every year (yes, really).
And here’s the part many people don’t realise:
you can now choose self-collection at your GP clinic.
That means a simple swab you do yourself, in private, following clear instructions. It’s supported by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and is just as accurate when done properly.
If HPV is found, it doesn’t mean cancer. Most of the time it simply means follow-up checks — and when changes are found early, treatment is usually straightforward.
Often, the whole thing is over before you’ve decided what to have for lunch.
Meet Leanne*
Leanne is a 56-year-old office manager who loves organising dinner parties.
She is super busy, slightly tired, and mildly allergic to sloppy admin.
When she received her screening reminder, she rolled her eyes. It was one thing she’d let slip. To get back on track, she booked an appointment. She chose the self-collection option.
When she visited her GP at lunchtime, the nurse supplied her with the self-collection kit. She followed the instructions, took her sample, and ticked it off her list.
As a self-confessed ‘nerdy’ type, Leanne knew that any HPV picked up would lead to a colposcopy with a gynaecologist. She knew that the simple procedure only took about five minutes and wasn’t particularly uncomfortable or painful.
But in the end, it turned out not to be necessary.
All done. She scrolled forward five years to January 8th 2030 in her calendar and placed a reminder for her next cervical self-collection test. It was so far away, it felt like it’d never happen. Good.
*Leanne is fictional. Everyone’s experience is different — but it shows what screening is designed to do: find changes early, when they’re easiest to deal with.
Small everyday things that help
Screening and vaccination do the heavy lifting — but a few everyday habits help too:
- Not smoking lowers cervical cancer risk
- Looking after your general health supports your immune system
- Condom use reduces HPV and STI risk
And if you notice unusual bleeding, persistent discharge, or pelvic pain, see your GP. It’s usually nothing serious — but checking is always the smarter move.
Cervical screening isn’t glamorous. It won’t get many likes on Instagram. But it’s one of the simplest, most effective health checks available.
Australia is close to making cervical cancer rare — and keeping up with screening is how we get there.
If you’re due (or overdue), book in with your GP. Ask about self-collection if that feels easier. Then get on with your life, knowing you’ve done something quietly powerful for your future self.
This article is for general information only and shouldn’t be considered personal medical advice. See your doctor for advice that’s right for you.
Sources
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) – National Cervical Screening Program Monitoring Report 2024, Summary – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer-screening/ncsp-monitoring-2024
- Cancer Council Australia – Prevention and Screening for Cervical Cancer – https://www.cancer.org.au/cervical-cancer/prevention-and-screening
- Cancer Council NSW – “5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Cervical Cancer” – https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/5-ways-reduce-risk-cervical-cancer
- RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) – New Cervical Screening Guidelines Broaden Self‑Collect Options – https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/new-cervical-screening-guidelines-broaden-self-col
- Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer / Clinipath Pathology – Summary of 2025 NCSP Guideline Updates – https://acpcc.org.au/practitioners/clinical-resources/2025-ncsp-guideline-updates
- Australia on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035 – Australian Government Department of Health, Media release from the Hon Rebecca White, MP https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-rebecca-white-mp/media/australia-on-track-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer-by-2035?language=en