Free Telehealth Self-Collect Cervical Screening

Free Telehealth Self-Collect Cervical Screening

Screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer or detect it earlier.

You can access this health test from your home with our free telehealth service funded by Preventive Health SA.

What is Telehealth Self-Collect Cervical Screening?

Our free telehealth cervical screening is designed to support those who face barriers to accessing cervical screening including those who live in rural or regional communities and those who are under-screened.

Our telehealth cervical screening involves self-collection – doing the test yourself!

Self-collection is just as accurate as a clinician collected swab. You will be provided with instructions so that you can, in private, collect your own cells from your vagina using a cotton swab.

If you’re eligible for self-collection, a screening kit will be sent by our partner VCS Pathology directly to your address, complete with a pre-paid return envelope.

How does it work?

  1. Book your free telehealth cervical screening consultation online.

  2. Speak on the phone with an experienced sexual health nurse at SHINE SA who will confirm you’re eligible and guide you through the cervical screening process

  3. Receive your screening kit in the mail and return the swab with a pre-paid envelope.

  4. A sexual health nurse will provide you with your results.

 

Who can access this service?

This service has been designed for South Australians who face barriers to accessing cervical screening. This service is only for those who don’t have symptoms/aren’t required to do a repeat test. Our sexual health nurse will assess your eligibility during the telehealth consultation and will be able to answer your questions and address any concerns around this. 

This service is free for:

  • People living in rural/remote South Australia 
  • People living with a disability 
  • People experiencing financial hardship 
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds  
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 
  • People living with HIV  
  • LGBTIQA+ people  
  • Sex workers. 

Why access this service?

  • It’s convenient – For those who find it difficult to get to a clinic, this service allows you to have a consult from home or a private location.
  • It’s free (for those eligible) – This service is funded by Preventive Health SA, there’s no out-of-pocket costs.
  • Professional support – Expert advice from experienced sexual health professionals.

Frequently asked questions

The telehealth consult will take approx. 20 minutes.

Your screening kit will be posted from VCS (our pathology partner) within two days of your consultation via Australia Post so delivery times will vary. You should receive your kit within 10 days up to 2 weeks.

Once you’ve collected your sample you must return it within a specified time for processing. Details will be provided in the kit. Our sexual health nurse will contact you with your results 12 weeks after your sample arrives at VCS. 

If HPV is found on a self-collected sample, you will need to attend one of our clinics to have a sample of cervical cells collected, to see if there are any abnormal changes to your cervix. Depending on the results you may be referred directly to a specialist for further tests. The nurse will explain the results in detail and the next steps. If you are unable to attend one of our clinics you will need to attend your local GP for follow up. 

Learn more about how to understand test results here: Understanding your Cervical Screening Test results | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 

A self-collected sample is taken from the vagina so you don’t need to worry about reaching the cervix or ‘getting the right spot’. All you need to do is insert a swab a few centimetres into your vagina and rotate it for 20 to 30 seconds.

More information: National Cervical Screening Program – How to collect your own vaginal sample for a Cervical Screening Test

Video demonstration: National Cervical Screening Program – How to take your own Cervical Screening Test sample

Yesa Sexual Health nurse will assess your eligibility during the telehealth consultation. 

Yes – a Sexual Health nurse will assess your eligibility during the telehealth consultation. 

Unfortunately, we cannot provide this service in this type of appointment.  
However, we are currently offering free in-person cervical screening tests at our clinics which offer STI testing at the same time.

If you have a cervix and have had sex (any type of sex*), it’s recommended to have a cervical screening test every 5 years from the age of 25. 

This test will look for HPV on the cervix and monitor any changes. 

Detecting HPV and monitoring changes is important in preventing cervical cancer. 

You can learn more about HPV and self-collection here: What is HPV and what are the cervical screening options? 

*This includes skin to skin genital contact, finger penetration, oral sex, or sharing of toys. 

Depending on your results you may be referred directly to a specialist for further tests. Learn more about how to understand test results here: Understanding your Cervical Screening Test results | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 

If you’re aged 25 to 74 years, it’s recommended you have a cervical screening test every 5 years. 

To check when you’re next due for your cervical screening test, phone the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701. 

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