Previous Campaigns

2022 - 2023

Campaign Overview

As of 1 July 2022, all women and people with a cervix under the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) will be able to self-collect their own sample for cervical screening. The change will give participants a choice in screening method – either clinician-collected or self-collected. Universal access to self-collection 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 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: self-collection campaign comes at an opportune time to proactively communicate the availability and importance of self-collection as an alternative option for screening participants.

This campaign is focused on maximising the uptake of cervical screening by increasing the awareness, understanding and confidence in self-collection for cervical screening. With two options for cervical screening now available, 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: self-collection campaign is to:

increase awareness among health professionals and the wider community of upcoming changes to the NCSP Self-collection policy.
increase cervical screening participation to protect the health of our communities and ultimately save lives.

Key campaign messages

Cervical screening is changing. As of 1 July 2022, there are two ways to have a Cervical Screening Test (CST). You can now 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.

For women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 years, 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.

Choose a healthcare provider through Healthy WA Service Finder.

2021 - 2022

Campaign Overview

The new ‘At Your Cervix’ campaign is encouraging young Western Australians to prioritise cervical screening as an act of self-care. With less than half of eligible Western Australian women or people with a cervix aged 25 to 34 taking part in the National Cervical Screening Program, this campaign is an urgent call for this group to prioritise their health by booking their Cervical Screening Test.

While cervical screening is important for all women or people with a cervix aged 25 to 74, in Western Australia, only 46 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds took part in the National Cervical Screening Program in 2018–2019.

Funded by the WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, the aim of the ‘At Your Cervix’ campaign is to increase these numbers to protect the health of our young communities and ultimately save lives.

Key campaign messages

We’re urging women or people with a cervix aged 25 to 34 to prioritise cervical screening as an act of self-care with our new campaign ‘At Your Cervix’.
Currently less than half of eligible people aged 25 to 34 in Western Australia are taking part in the National Cervical Screening Program.
Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 are invited to have a Cervical Screening Test every five years through the National Cervical Screening Program.
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.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and cervical screening, yet 88 Western Australian women or people with a cervix were diagnosed with the disease in 2017.
Women or people with a cervix are encouraged to book an appointment with their GP when they are due for cervical screening.
Women or people with a cervix can choose a cervical screening provider through the Healthy WA Service Finder.