Resources
You can provide these resources to patients to help them before, during and post screening. See the full resource library.
Before screening appointment
- Fact sheet explaining self-collection and the Cervical Screening Test
 - Video explaining the Cervical Screening Test
 
During screening appointment
- Instructional video on how to take a Cervical Screening Test sample
 - Visual guide on how to collect your own vaginal sample for a Cervical Screening Test
 
Post screening appointment
National Cervical Screening Program participation data from 2018–2020 showed participation was lowest for people living in areas with highest disadvantage, at 49.7%..
Barriers
There are general barriers that people face in participating in cervical screening. People experience socio-economic disadvantage can face extra barriers relating to:
- cost: out-of-pocket expenses associated with going to the GP unless bulk-billing is available, and pathology costs if laboratories charge higher than the MBS fee
 - low education levels
 - literacy barriers
 - competing priorities, such as employment, access to food etc.
 
Ways to engage
| 
				 Strategy  | 
			
				 Detail  | 
		
|---|---|
| 
				 Reduce out-of- pocket costs  | 
			
				 Reduce or eliminate fees for people with a healthcare card.  | 
		
| 
				 Service flexibility  | 
			
				 Offer screening opportunistically.  | 
		
| 
				 Appropriate communication  | 
			
				 Provide resources explaining the importance of cervical screening that have been written in plain English.  |