Cervical screening self-collection on the rise in response ‘In their hands’ project

The ‘In their hands’ project was launched by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN Primary Care team in July 2022, resulting in a significant increase in cervical screening self-collection.

The project launched following changes to the National Cervical Screening Program in 2022 that meant all eligible screeners – women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 – were enabled to choose to take their own sample, or have their healthcare provided collect their sample.

The aim of this project was to increase the uptake of cervical screening self-collection among under and never-screened groups, by working with primary health care organisations across the Darling Downs and West Moreton region and leveraging off established resources and education material made available by Queensland Health.

The successful implementation of this project resulted in large increases to the baseline data of self-collection cervical screening within the region. Between July 2022, and March 2024, the number of self collection tests conducted rose from 1533 (20% of all tests) to 2984 (34% of all tests). This rise has exceeded the Queensland PHN average of 29% self-collection.

The project achieved this outcome over several rounds, which included initiatives including training and clinical support. After additional funding was provided in March 2024, the project expanded to target priority populations, with a targeted consumer campaign for these groups developed.