National Cervical Screening Program – What happens when my healthcare provider collects my sample

This is a visual guide to help people understand the process when they choose to have a healthcare provider collect their Cervical Screening Test sample.

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What happens when my healthcare provider collects my sample

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Procedure
Audience:
General public
Language:
English
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What happens when my healthcare provider collects my sample:

  1. You’ll be in a private space with your healthcare provider – usually a doctor, nurse, or healthcare worker.
  2. You will be asked to remove your clothes below the waist and lie on your back. You will be given a sheet to cover yourself.
  3. The doctor or nurse will use a device called a speculum, to make it easier to access your cervix.
  4. They will then take a small sample of cells from your cervix using a soft brush. It may feel uncomfortable but should not hurt. If it hurts, tell your healthcare provider straight away.
  5. Your healthcare provider will send the sample to a pathology laboratory to be tested.
  6. The pathology laboratory will test your sample and send the results to your healthcare provider.

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