What you’ll find on this page
About the campaign
The Australian Government invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 to have a Cervical Screening Test every five years through the National Cervical Screening Program.
Cancer Council Victoria is urging women and people with a cervix aged 25-34 to book a Cervical Screening Test if they're due or overdue as part of the organisation’s award-winning Young People’s campaign.
The Young People’s campaign will run on digital channels until the end of June. Help share the campaign’s messages with your networks to reach more young Victorians and encourage them to prioritise cervical screening.
About cervical screening and self-collection
Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and cervical screening.
A Cervical Screening Test looks for HPV (human papillomavirus) which causes almost all cervical cancers and is passed on by genital skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
Women and people with a cervix aged 25-74, who have ever been sexually active with a person of any gender, need to do a Cervical Screening Test every five years to protect against cervical cancer.
You can choose how you want to have your next Cervical Screening Test. Your options are:
- collecting your own vaginal sample (self-collection) using a swab, or
- having a healthcare provider collect your sample (clinician collected) using a speculum and small brush.
Self-collection is done in a private space at the doctors or another health setting, usually behind a curtain or in the bathroom. It’s quick, easy, private and just as reliable at detecting HPV as a test done by a doctor or nurse using a speculum and a small brush.
Women and people with a cervix can choose a cervical screening provider through Cancer Council Victoria's online directory of providers.
Key messages
- If you’re 25 or older, you might be due for cervical screening.
- Women and people with a cervix aged 25-74, who have ever been sexually active with a person of any gender, need to screen every five years to protect against cervical cancer.
- A Cervical Screening Test every five years could save your life, even if you’re young.
- A Cervical Screening Test looks for HPV (human papillomavirus), which causes most cervical cancers. HPV is spread by genital skin to skin contact between people of any gender.
- Cervical screening just got easier. You can now choose to self-collect your next Cervical Screening Test using a small swab.
- A self-collected Cervical Screening Test is done in private. You can do it yourself behind a curtain or in the bathroom at the doctors or other health setting.
- Self-collection is quick, private, easy to do and just as accurate as a test done by a doctor or nurse with a speculum.
Calls to action
- If you are due or overdue for a Cervical Screening Test, book in to speak to a doctor or specially trained nurse about your options, including self-collection.
- Find out more about self-collection for cervical screening and Cancer Council Victoria’s Young People’s campaign at cancervic.org.au/startcervicalscreening
- Find a cervical screening provider that suits your needs on Cancer Council Victoria’s cervical screening directory www.cancervic.org.au/cervical-screening-test/where.asp
Note on terminology:
Cancer Council Victoria acknowledges that not all people with a cervix identify as women. We use the term ‘women and people with a cervix’ to ensure everyone with a cervix, who is at risk of cervical cancer is included in our messaging and can protect themselves with this life-saving test.
How you can help
Share these campaign messages through your networks to increase cervical screening among young Victorians and save lives. We really appreciate your support.
You can also download our new graphics and don’t forget to tag us: @CancerVic
Sample social media posts
Use these sample posts across your social media channels.
- The Cervical Screening Test detects HPV early before it can cause cell changes that may develop into cervical cancer. If you’re 25 or over, one test every five years could save your life. Visit: www.cancervic.org.au/startcervicalscreening to find out more.
- Cervical screening just got easier. You can now choose to self-collect your next Cervical Screening Test using a small swab. It’s quick, private, easy to do and reliable. Visit: www.cancervic.org.au/startcervicalscreening
- If you’re 25 or older, you might be due for cervical screening. One test every five years could save your life. Use Cancer Council Victoria’s cervical screening provider directory to find a provider that meets your needs: www.cancervic.org.au/startcervicalscreening
- A Cervical Screening Test every five years could save your life. You can now choose to self-collect your test using a swab. It’s quick, private, easy to do and just as reliable as a test one by your doctor or nurse using a speculum. Visit: www.cancervic.org.au/startcervicalscreening to find out more.
Social media tiles
Download these images to use in your social media posts.
Newsletter content
Here is an article to include in your organisation’s newsletter.
Headline: Cancer Council Victoria urges young Victorians to prioritise cervical screening
Cervical screening is the best way to protect yourself against cervical cancer and look after your health for the future. If you’re 25 or over, you might be due for your Cervical Screening Test.
Women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 who have ever had sexual contact with a person of any gender, need to do a Cervical Screening Test every five years, to protect against cervical cancer.
You now have the option to self-collect your test with a small swab and without a speculum. Self-collection is done in a private space at the doctors or another health setting, usually behind a curtain or in the bathroom. It’s quick, comfortable, safe and easy to do.
Use Cancer Council Victoria’s directory of cervical screening providers to find a provider that suits your needs. Visit the directory at www.cancervic.org.au/cervical-screening-test/where.asp or book a Cervical Screening Test with your GP.
Learn more about cervical screening here: www.cancervic.org.au/startcervicalscreening
Content for Mandarin and Punjabi speaking audiences
Share our in-language website with information about cervical screening and how to book a test.
Mandarin
Share the in-language tiles below on your channels.
Copy and paste these cervical screening messages:
- 子宫颈筛查可以及早发现宫颈癌，挽救生命。(Cervical screening could find cervical cancer early and save your life.)
- 年龄在 25-74 岁之间且有过性接触的女性需每 5 年 做一次子宫颈筛查测试。 (If you are a woman aged 25-74 and have ever had sexual contact, you need to do a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years.)
- 下次做子宫颈筛查轻而易举可以更容易。您可以使用拭子自 行采样进行测试，您也可以让医生或护士用窥镜 和宫颈刷为您做测试 (Your next Cervical Screening Test can be easier. You can self-collect your test using a swab or you can have a doctor or nurse do the test using a speculum and a small brush.)
- 请即刻预约做测试。 (Book your test today.)
Share our in-language website with information about cervical screening and how to book a test: www.cancervic.org.au/preventing-cancer/attend-screening/cervical-screening/look-after-your-health-with-cervical-screening/chinese
Punjabi
Share the in-language tiles below on your channels.
Copy and paste these cervical screening messages:
- ਹਰ 5 ਸਾਲ ਬਾਅਦ ਸਰਵਾਈਕਲ ਸਕਰੀਨਨੰ ਗ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਰਵਾਉਣਾ ਜਾਨਾਂ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। (A Cervical Screening Test every 5 years saves lives.)
- ਸਰਵਾਈਕਲ ਸਕਰੀਨਨੰ ਗ ਮਹੱਤਵਪ ਰਨ ਹੈਭਾਵੇਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇਨਵੱ ਚ ਕੋਈ ਲੱ ਛਣ ਨਾ ਵੀ ਹੋਣ। ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੁਣ ਆਪਣੇ-ਆਪ ਨ ੰ ਸਰਵਾਈਕਲ ਕੈਂਸਰ ਤੋਂਬਚਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਟੈਸਟ ਲਈ ਆਪ ਨਮ ਨਾ ਲੈਣ ਦੀ ਚੋਣ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇਹੋ। (Cervical screening is important even if you don’t have any symptoms. You can now choose self-collection to protect yourself against cervical cancer.)
- ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੁਣ ਡਾਕਟਰਾਂ ਕੋਲ ਸਵੈਬ (ਰ ੰਦੇਫੰਬੇ) ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂਕਰਦੇਹੋਏ ਆਪਣੇਸਰਵਾਈਕਲ ਸਕਰੀਨਨੰ ਗ ਟੈਸਟ ਲਈ ਨਮ ਨਾ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਚੋਣ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇਹੋ। ਟੈਸਟ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੇ-ਆਪ ਨਮ ਨਾ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਕਰਨਾ ਨਨਿੱਜੀ, ਕਰਨ ਨਵੱ ਚ ਆਸਾਨ ਅਤੇਸਹੀ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। (You can now choose to self-collect your Cervical Screening Test at the doctors, using a swab. A self-collected test is private, easy to do and accurate.)
- ਅੱਜ ਹੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਟੈਸਟ ਬੁੱਕ ਕਰੋ। (Book your test today.)
Share our in-language website with information about cervical screening and how to book a test: www.cancervic.org.au/preventing-cancer/attend-screening/cervical-screening/look-after-your-health-with-cervical-screening/punjabi