Exploring and evaluating the potential of new and emerging integrated models of HPV self-collection cervical screening in Australia to increase equity

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are preventable, yet women and people with a cervix in Australia are still experiencing unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

A 2022 screening program change allows all people the choice to take their own sample (self-collection) rather than undergo a speculum examination. Self-collection has potential to transform accessibility and health systems integration of cervical screening, by extending how and where screening can be offered, as outlined in Australia’s National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer.

This PhD hypothesises that it is feasible to integrate cervical screening into the routine services of health, community and social services (e.g. sexual and reproductive health, disability support, family violence and maternal health nurses) that already reach under screened people for other (non-screening related) reasons.

Aim: Given the intersectional identities and experiences of under-screened people and diverse needs that such services must address, evidence is needed to understand the potential of services – including and beyond abortion care - to integrate cervical screening, as a new avenue to increase access for people who may not otherwise come into contact with mainstream health services such as GPs.

Leveraging engagement with telehealth medical abortion services to increase access to cervical screening

For the first time, there is alignment between the universal availability of self-collection for cervical screening and recent policy shifts enabling MBS-funded telehealth services for sexual and reproductive health. Leveraging this opportunity, Clinic 66 (a private national telehealth medical abortion service) has implemented a bulk-billed self-collected mail-out model within the context of tele-abortion care.

Our project aims to explore how existing telehealth systems for medical abortion, and other health, social and community services, along with their established referral protocols, can be leveraged to further optimise care by integrating cervical screening services.

How to get involved

We are running surveys with a range of stakeholders working in social, community and health services to explore opportunities for integration of self-collection for cervical screening.

Contact the team below for information on how you can be involved by email on a.machadocolling@unimelb.edu.au

Melbourne School of Population and Global Health:

Miss Ana Machado Colling, Dr Tessa Saunders, Dr Shelly Makleff and Prof Julia Brotherton