Self-collection keeps Australia on path to cervical cancer elimination

Posted in cervical cancer; Posted 104 mins ago by Andreas Obermair

Australia has emerged as a global leader in cervical cancer prevention and is on track to become the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.

This achievement will not belong to governments alone. It will belong to the thousands of Australian
specialists and GPs who have encouraged women to participate in screening, built trusting relationships
over many years and embraced new approaches that make screening more accessible.

A new Australian study published in The Lancet Public Health analysed the outcomes of almost five
million women participating in the Australian National Cervical Screening Program and evaluated the impact of offering HPV self-collection to all eligible women through primary care.

Within 1.5 years, cervical cancer self-collection increased from 1.2% to 26.9%, while screening test performance was maintained.

From July 2022 self-collection uptake increased from just 1.2% of screening tests to 26.9% by the end of 2023. Importantly, the option was most frequently chosen by women we have historically found hardest to reach, including those more than 10 years overdue for screening, women living in very remote Australia and those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

The key findings of the study are that screening performance was maintained while more women participated. In other words, making screening easier did not compromise its effectiveness.

This is an important validation of Australia's decision to offer self-collection through general practice. It also reinforces what many GPs have observed in their consulting rooms. For some women, particularly those who have delayed screening because of embarrassment, previous trauma, cultural barriers or limited access to healthcare, self-collection removes a significant obstacle.

Offering choice allows more women to participate without sacrificing quality.

The study also reminds us that the work does not end with the HPV test. Timely follow-up of women with positive results remains essential, and continued GP engagement is critical to ensure appropriate investigation and treatment. Australian GPs have been central to the success of our cervical screening program.

This landmark Lancet Public Health publication provides compelling evidence that the uptake of self-collection has strengthened Australia's cervical screening program. By embracing this evidence-based approach, Australian GPs have helped expand access to screening, improve participation among under-screened populations, and maintain the high standards of care that are critical to cancer prevention.

Together, these achievements bring Australia closer to its goal of becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.

Reference: Sultana F et al. Uptake and performance of self-collection offered through primary care to all eligible participants in a national cervical screening programme in Australia: a retrospective cohort study. The Lancet Public Health. 2026.