Text on screen: The Daffodil Centre, Centre for Disability Studies and Bus Stop Films present ‘Screen Me’.
Kitchen - Margot and Linda
A young white woman, Margot is opening her mail in a kitchen where her mother is cooking.
Margot has Down syndrome, long blonde hair and wears glasses.
Margot opens a letter – Her letter is about cervical screening tests for people 25 and over. It is from the National Cervical Screening Program.
Margot: Mum, what's this? Is this something I need to worry about?
Margot's mother takes a look at the letter.
Linda: Um, No. No, it's not something you really have to worry about.
Linda takes the letter from Margot and puts it in a draw.
Café - Margot and Auggie
Later, Margot's at a cafe with a friend.
Auggie: …they have these like giant cookies. They're like the size of…
Auggie signs ‘thank you’ to Darcy, the waitress who has brought their meals. It is obviously flirting. Darcy winks before leaving.
Margot: … you 2 are very obvious.
Auggie: Giggles.
Margot: Hey Auggie, can I ask you something? Have you ever had a cervical screening test?
Auggie: Well, that came out of nowhere.
Margot: Well… I received this in mail but mum said not to worry about it.
Margot hands Auggie the letter she received earlier. Auggie reads Margot's letter.
Auggie: It's just saying that now you're of a 25 you should have a cervical screening every five years just to check that your cervix is healthy. I go routinely and actually have my screening this afternoon… randomly.
Margot: Oh, so everyone with a cervix needs one?
Auggie: Yep, your mum's probably just feels uncomfortable thinking about you being sexually active, which is exactly why you need to get the tests done.
Look, there's two different ways you can do it now. Your doctor or nurse can do it for you, or you can do it yourself with a self swab. Maybe talk to your mum again and help her understand this impacts everyone with the cervix, like whether they've had sex once or, well, more than once.
Margot: Auggie!
Doctor’s Office – Doctor and Katie
Katie is a young white woman with red hair is sitting facing her doctor.
Doctor: Well that's it for today. Thanks Katie. Oh, actually you're due for a cervical screening test.
Katie: Can you check again? I'm sure I only just had one.
Doctor: Did you know you can do it yourself now using a self swab? I can talk you through how to use it if you like.
The doctor hands Katie a self-collection swab. Katie smiles.
Katie: I'm listening.
Doctor’s waiting room – Auggie and Darcy
Auggie's now sitting outside the same doctor's surgery, anxiously turning a fidget toy over and over in her hands.
Relief spreads across her face when the waitress from the Cafe Darcy comes to join her, bringing her a cup of water.
Auggie: [ASL] Thanks for supporting me. I trust you being here.
Darcy: [ASL] I’m glad I’m here with you.
Darcy puts her arm around Augie and cuddles her close.
Bathroom – Katie
Katie's in her bathroom, preparing to do the self-swab.
Voice off screen: Can I say something?
Katie: Who's that?
Katie’s [Cartoon] Cervix: She's forgotten. Fair enough. Long time. No attention. I'm your cervix.
Katie: Are you real?
Katie’s [Cartoon] Cervix: Yes, I'm real. So, let's do what we can to check that we have a healthy cervix.
Katie nods at the cartoon redhead.
Katie’s [Cartoon] Cervix: Listen, I know in the past this has been uncomfortable.
Katie: That's an understatement.
Katie’s [Cartoon] Cervix: Now you can do it yourself. It's easy. 10 seconds, two to three rotations in the vagina.
Katie: We've got this.
Katie’s [Cartoon] Cervix: Yes, we do.
Doctor’s Office – Doctor and Auggie
Auggie's finishing up with the doctor.
Doctor: OK, all done. That's it for now. I'm really glad to see you keeping up with the screening every five years.
Auggie: Thanks Doc.
Doctor’s office waiting room – Auggie and Darcy
Auggie walks into the waiting room from the doctor’s office. Darcy is waiting for her and rises from her seat.
Auggie: [ASL] When are you having your test?
Darcy shrugs evasively..
Auggie: [ASL] When you’re ready, I will be here too. You can always read more information if it makes you feel better?
Darcy nods gratefully.
Bedroom – Darcy
Darcy is at home laying on her bed. She reads the www.health.gov.au/ncsp website about how to get a Cervical Screening Test. A cartoon version of Darcy’s cervix waves from the nightstand to her.
Darcy’s [Cartoon] Cervix: [ASL] See Darcy, this is bigger than you or I.
Darcy: [ASL] Who are you?
Darcy’s Cervix: [ASL] I’m your cervix. You and me, Darcy, we can help eliminate cervical cancer in Australia. What do you say?
Darcy nods, turns back to her laptop with new resolve, and books an appointment right away. She smiles, nodding to herself.
Doctor’s office waiting room – Auggie, Darcy, Margot and Linda
A new day. Auggie and Darcy sit in the Doctor’s waiting room. Margot emerges from the doctor’s office. Her mother, Linda, follows behind her.
Margot: Hey, Auggie.
Auggie: Oh, hey Margot, what are you doing here?
Margot: I just did my first ever Cervical Screening Test.
Auggie: Nice one.
Margot’s [Cartoon] Cervix: And if it's good news, we don't have to come back for another five years.
Doctor: Darcy Jones?
Auggie: Oh, that's us. See you, Margot.
Margot: Bye.
Auggie and Darcy walk into the doctor’s office.
Margot looks over her shoulder and exchanges a playful wink with her cartoon cervix who looks just like her.
Voice over black screen with text
Cervical screening is a test to check that your cervix is healthy and it can help stop cervical cancer. Anyone of the cervix aged 25 to 74 should have a Cervical Screening Test every five years, including people with disability. Getting the test has been made easier. Your doctor or nurse can do the test, or you can take the test yourself. How you do it is your choice. Find out more at www.health.gov.au/screen-me, or ask your doctor or nurse for more information.
Margot's cartoon Cervix gives another wink.
Credits
Directed by Kate Vinon.
Cast Jennifer Birdsall, Grace Ho Kelsey Hunter Videlia Laurentian Ray Pasterzak, Lauren Patrick.
Written by Stephanie Dauer and Nicolette minister executive producer Tracy Corbin Matchett producer Diana Lagrassa Music by Scott Majidi.
Bus Stop Films recognises the contribution of our board and staff in the production of this film.
The logo for Screen Me Cervical screening for all this film has been proudly funded by the Commonwealth Government for the National Cervical Screening Programme.
Copyright 2024 Bus Stop Films inclusive film making.
This is a version of the Screen Me short film with an audio description.
Screen Me was produced by Bus Stop Films and is presented in partnership with the Daffodil Centre and the Centre for Disability Studies.
Funding for the Screen Me! campaign was provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.