The Sydney woman says the vaginal swab alternative to a Pap smear is “much less invasive than a COVID test up the nose”.
One in five NSW women due for cervical cancer screening are opting to collect their own swabs after an overhaul of the testing program to offer a less invasive alternative to a speculum examination.
“By having an option that does not require a speculum exam, we’re able to reach many more people. It’s really important for equity in Australia.” They insert the swab – similar in design to a COVID rapid antigen test – a few centimetres into the vagina before swivelling it for 30 seconds.It means women do not have to undergo a speculum examination to collect samples, a test that becomes more painful during menopause.found that self-tests are as accurate as clinician-collected samples taken during speculum exams.
“When my GP described the test to me, and said it didn’t need to extend up to the cervix … I felt a little bit dubious because it was completely different from every Pap smear we’ve had for decades.“To know that it produced a result really reassured me that it’s effective. It’s much less invasive and uncomfortable than a COVID test up the nose.
About 870 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Of those, 72 per cent have never been screened or are overdue for their screening, national health data shows. “We want women to be confident in doing self-collection, and if they’ve got any questions, to ask their doctor or nurse. The doctor or nurse are responsible for conveying the results and organising follow-up if HPV is detected.”
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