Cervical Screening Test – Is It the Same as a Pap Smear?

The Cervical Screening Test has replaced the Pap smear in Australia, but the two tests are not the same. The former Pap test looked mainly for abnormal cervical cells, while the current test first checks for HPV, which can cause those cell changes.

Clinician collection may feel similar to a previous Pap smear appointment, but self-collection is now also available for eligible patients. This guide explains what the test involves, who needs it, how it is done, and what results may mean.

Key Takeaways

• The Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap smear in Australia in 2017
• The current test looks for HPV rather than beginning with a check for abnormal cervical cells
• Eligible people generally screen every five years from age 25 to 74
• Eligible cervical screening participants can choose clinician collection or self-collection. 
• The pathology test is generally Medicare-subsidised, but a consultation or service fee may still apply

Is a Cervical Screening Test the Same as a Pap Smear?

Not exactly. The Cancer Institute NSW confirms the Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap test in December 2017. It is a different laboratory test, though the collection process may feel similar when done by a clinician.

The appointment may look and feel similar when a clinician collects the sample, but what the laboratory checks for is different.

What Is a Cervical Screening Test and Who Needs One?

Routine cervical screening is generally recommended every five years for people who:

• Are aged 25 to 74
• Have a cervix
• Have you ever had sexual contact

Screening may still apply if you:

• Have received the HPV vaccine
• Are no longer sexually active
• Have only had one partner
• Have sex only with women
• Are pregnant
• Are transgender or gender diverse and have a cervix

People who have had a hysterectomy should ask their GP, because screening needs depend on the type of surgery and previous history.

If you are unsure whether you are due for cervical screening, a GP can review your age, screening history and individual circumstances through Cameron Park Healthcare’s women’s health services.

Cervical Screening Test: What to Expect at the Appointment

Understanding what happens at the appointment can help reduce anxiety. There are two collection options depending on eligibility.

If Your Healthcare Provider Collects the Sample

1. The clinician discusses the test and obtains consent
2. The patient undresses from the waist down in privacy
3. A speculum is gently inserted to allow the cervix to be seen
4. A soft brush collects a small sample from the cervix
5. The sample is sent to a laboratory for HPV testing

The sample collection itself usually takes only a few minutes. Some people feel mild pressure or discomfort, while others feel little discomfort.

If You Choose Self-Collection

1. A healthcare provider confirms eligibility and orders the test
2. The patient receives a swab and instructions
3. In private, the swab is inserted a short distance into the vagina
4. The swab is rotated as instructed and returned for laboratory testing

Self-collection does not involve a speculum or direct collection from the cervix.

Can You Do a Cervical Screening Test at Home?

Self-collection is available, but it is not generally an over-the-counter home test that you organise without a healthcare provider.

The Australian Government confirms that self-collection for cervical screening must be accessed and ordered through a healthcare provider. This means:

• The test must be arranged through a GP or nurse practitioner
• It is often completed in a private room at the clinic
• Some providers may support collection at home in certain circumstances
• The sample still needs to be returned correctly for laboratory processing
• Follow-up clinician collection may be required depending on the result

Self-collection is as effective as clinician collection for detecting HPV when accessed through the approved cervical screening pathway.

Cameron Park Healthcare can explain available cervical screening options and whether clinician collection or self-collection may suit your circumstances. Contact the practice to check current availability.

How Much Does a Cervical Screening Test Cost?

The Cervical Screening Test is generally free when an eligible patient is due for screening. However, the GP or healthcare provider may still charge a consultation or service fee, depending on the clinic’s billing arrangements.

Cameron Park Healthcare is a mixed billing practice. Some appointments may involve an out-of-pocket cost even when the pathology is covered. Review the clinic’s current billing information or ask when booking to confirm what may apply to your appointment.

Patients without Medicare may face different fees. Confirming costs before attending helps avoid surprises on the day.

How Can You Make Cervical Screening More Comfortable?

Cervical screening can feel personal, and it is common to feel nervous. There are practical steps that may help:

• Tell the clinician you feel nervous before the test begins
• Ask questions before the sample collection starts
• Request that the procedure pause or stop if you need a break
• Discuss self-collection as an option
• Request a female clinician if available
• Bring a support person if you would like one present
• Ask about a smaller speculum if this may help
• Arrange a separate discussion appointment first if that feels easier
• Share any previous difficult experience only if you feel comfortable

You do not need to explain your concerns in detail. The clinician can discuss your concerns and any reasonable adjustments that may help you feel more comfortable during the appointment.

What Do Cervical Screening Test Results Mean?

Results generally fall into three main categories:

HPV not detected. The next routine test is generally due in five years.

Repeat testing may be needed. Some HPV results require another test in 12 months to check whether the infection is still present and determine the next step.

Further assessment may be needed. Certain HPV types, persistent HPV or cervical cell changes may lead to clinician collection or referral for colposcopy, which is a closer examination of the cervix.

An HPV-positive result does not automatically mean cervical cancer. HPV is very common, and follow-up depends on the type of HPV and any cell changes found.

Cervical Screening Is Not a Test for Symptoms

Routine cervical screening is designed for eligible people without symptoms. If you experience:

• Bleeding after sex
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after menopause
• Persistent unexplained vaginal discharge
• Ongoing pain during sex
• Other new pelvic or reproductive symptoms
• Persistent or unexplained pelvic pain 

Please arrange a GP appointment rather than waiting for the next routine screening reminder. These symptoms do not automatically mean cervical cancer, but they may require a different examination or test. You can speak with a GP about unusual symptoms at Cameron Park Healthcare.

Booking Cervical Screening in Cameron Park

Cameron Park Healthcare’s women’s health services include cervical screening and other preventive and reproductive health care. When booking, you can ask:

• Whether clinician collection and self-collection are available
• Whether you are due for screening
• Whether a specific clinician’s preference can be accommodated
• Whether any fee applies to your appointment

If you are due for screening or want to discuss what to expect, you can book a GP appointment at Cameron Park Healthcare.

FAQs

Is the Cervical Screening Test the same as a Pap smear?

Not exactly. It replaced the Pap smear in 2017 and may involve a similar clinician-collected procedure, but it checks first for HPV rather than primarily looking for abnormal cells.

How is a Cervical Screening Test done?

The sample can be collected by a clinician from the cervix using a speculum and soft brush, or self-collected from the vagina using a swab under a healthcare provider’s arrangement.

Can I do a Cervical Screening Test at home?

Self-collection must be arranged through a healthcare provider. It is often completed privately at the clinic, although some providers may support home collection in certain situations.

Do I still need screening if I had the HPV vaccine?

Yes, if you are otherwise eligible. The vaccine does not cover every HPV type associated with cervical cancer.

Do I need cervical screening after a hysterectomy?

It depends on whether the cervix was removed, why the operation was performed, and your previous screening results. Ask a GP for advice based on your surgical and screening history.

References and Further Reading

• Australian Government Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Program
• Australian Government Department of Health: Self-Collection for Cervical Screening
• Cancer Institute NSW: About the Cervical Screening Test
• Healthdirect Australia: Cervical Screening Test