Yarning about Aboriginal Women’s Health Business

This video highlights the importance of cervical screening and supporting women to take control of their own health.

00:04:04

On screen: SESLHD acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Dharawal, Gadigal, Wangal, Gweagal and Bidjigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands we operate on. We pay our respects to Ancestors and Elders, past and present.

SESLHD is committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.

Kristen is walking in a park.

Kristen: My name is Kristen. I'm a proud Yuin woman from the South Coast with strong family ties to La Perouse, and I live on Darkinjung country on the Central Coast.

Kristen approaches Mon on a beach.

Kristen: Hey, sis, how are you?

Kristen and Mon hug.


Mon: Good. How are you?


Kristen: Good

Kristen and XX walk on the sand.


Mon: I need to have a yarn with you.


Kristen: Yeah. 


Mon: How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages.

Kristen and Mon sit on the sand.


Kristen: Um. I just got this letter that I wanted to have a yarn with you about. It's cervical screening and I haven't had it done in a long time. So do you know much about it? Have you had it done before?

Mon: So, it's just a reminder to get it done. When was the last time you had your cervical screening?


Kristen: Oh, look, I don't even remember.


Mon: It's really quick and easy. And you know, the Women's Health nurse, she'll be able to explain it to you. It's a little bit uncomfortable, but it's really important that you do it because, you know, we've got to keep ourselves healthy for our little ones and all. Also, our mob. You know, the Women's Health nurse is really supportive.


Car park. Kristen and Mon exit car.

Kristen [VO]: I'm going to get a cervical screening today. I'm not really looking forward to it. 
I am a bit nervous.

Kristen sits in a park – Interview in park.

Kristen: It's not something that I just go and do every day.

Kristen and Mon walk toward the clinic.


Kristen [cut between VO and park: There's a lot of shame around getting these tests, but I think we need to stay strong, especially as Aboriginal women because we're the backbones of our family and we need to take control of our health. It's really important.


Kristen and Mon enter the clinic and approach reception.

Kristen [VO]: Mon did make me feel at ease and that it's something that everyone does and it happens every day, so why not?

Jocelyn approaches Kristen and Mon.


Jocelyn: Hey, Kristen, I'm Jocelyn, the Women's Health Nurse. Come on through.


Mon: I'll just wait out here for you.

Mon takes a seat in the waiting room. Kristen follows Jocelyn into the clinic.


Kristen sits on a bed. Jocelyn takes a seat next to the bed.

Jocelyn: So, Kristen, you've come in for a Cervical Screening Test today. How you feeling?


Kristen: OK, OK, I think.

Jocelyn: Alright. No worries, that's fine. The good news is we have two options for cervical screening. The first is with a speculum, which I'll insert into your vagina and then take a soft swab of your cervix, OK? There is also another way. It's called a self-collect swab. You can do this yourself, actually, and you place this into your vagina and just swab for 20 seconds, take it out. You can do it in here in the bathroom with privacy. You give it back to me, and we're done.


Kristen: OK.


Jocelyn: Any questions about this?


Kristen: No. No. I think I'd prefer this way.


Jocelyn: Yeah, fair enough. I think it's a really good option. So, I just also want to let you know that it's just as safe, accurate and effective as the other option, too. All right, well, I'll leave you in here with some privacy. I'll wait outside. Just open the door when you're finished. You can take the swab yourself. There you go.

Jocelyn hands Kristen a tube with the self-collect swab.


Jocelyn: All right.


Kristen: OK. Thank you. Let's do this.

Jocelyn leaves the room.


Jocelyn sits at a desk – Interview in another office.


Jocelyn: Cervical screening is for women and people with the cervix who are aged 25 to 74. It’s for people who have been sexually active, even if they're with the same partner still. And it's also safe for women who are pregnant.


Jocelyn re-enters the clinic room. Kristen is standing with the swab tube in her hand.

Jocelyn: How did that go, Kristen?


Kristen: Yeah, it was fine. It was just like a COVID test, just not up your nose.


Jocelyn: Yeah, that's true. So, it was an OK experience.


Kristen:  Yeah, it was fine.


Jocelyn: Yeah. Good. The results will come back in a couple of weeks’ time. I'll give you a call and let you know what to do next. It might be to come back and see me, or you can rescreen in five years.


Kristen:  Oh, OK.


Jocelyn: Great. Thanks for coming in today.


Kristen:  Thank you.

Kristen walks back into the clinic waiting room.
 

Jocelyn [VO]: Because of vaccinations and regular cervical screening opportunity, Australia's actually on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.

Kristen and Mon leave the clinic.


Mon: How was it? How'd you go?


Kristen: It wasn't even bad at all.


Mon: Oh, that's good.


Kristen: I made such a big deal out of it and I shouldn't have.

Kristen stands in front of clinic – interview.


Kristen: Yeah, it was fine. It wasn't as bad as what I thought it was going to be. I'm glad I got it done. I'm a mum now with a beautiful 4-year-old, so it's really important I stay healthy and strong, especially for her, but especially for the family as well. So I guess I'll have to come back and do it again?

On screen [VO]: You can have a Cervical Screening Test at a Women's Health Clinic, an Aboriginal Medical Service or at your GP.


If you have abnormal (unusual) bleeding or other concerning symptoms, you should see a GP.

Video type:
Story
Publication date:
Date last updated:

Help us improve health.gov.au

If you would like a response please use the enquiries form instead.