More about the campaign

Campaign overview

All women and people with a cervix are able to self-collect their own sample for cervical screening under the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP).  Participants have a choice of screening method – either clinician-collected or self-collected. Access to the self-collection choice has the potential to mitigate some of the cultural and personal barriers that may discourage some people from screening, especially:

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women;
  • culturally and linguistically diverse communities;
  • those who identify as LGBTIQ+;
  • those living with  disability;
  • those who have experienced sexual violence;
  • post-menopausal women; and
  • those who have had previous negative cervical screening experiences.

The At Your Cervix 2023 campaign aims to proactively communicate the importance of cervical screening and the availability of self-collection as an alternative option for screening participants.

This campaign is focused on maximising the uptake of cervical screening by improving the awareness and understanding of the NCSP as well as increasing confidence in self-collection as an option for cervical screening. This campaign is a strong reminder for women and people with a cervix to prioritise their health by booking their Cervical Screening Test.
Funded by the WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, the aim of the At Your Cervix 2023 campaign is to:

  1. Generate awareness and understanding of why cervical screening is important.
  2. Promote and position self-collection as a non-invasive, easy, convenient, and accurate option for cervical screening.
  3. Encourage and enable potential participants to request self-collection from their primary healthcare provider.

Key campaign messages

All women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 years are eligible to participate in the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) by having a Cervical Screening Test (CST).

There are two ways to have a CST. You can choose to screen by:

  • collecting your own sample (this is also called self-collection); or
  • having a healthcare provider collect your sample.
Both options are accurate, safe and effective ways to participate in cervical screening.
Talk with your healthcare provider about which option is best for you.
Having a CST every five years is your best protection against cervical cancer.
Cervical screening can prevent the development of cervical cancer by detecting HPV early, before it has the chance to cause cell changes which may lead to cervical cancer.
Find out where you can have a Cervical Screening Test