Self-Collect - HPV Specimen Collection for the Cervical Screening Program

 

As of July 1st 2022 any individual who is eligible for cervical screening, as a primary screen or follow up test (after an intermediate risk test 12 months earlier), will be eligible for a self-collect in place of a clinician collected sample.

Until July 1st, these were restricted to never-screened, or significantly under screened patients. This is a significant change to eligibility of this test.

There remain patients who are not eligible. Specifically anyone who requires a co-test (cervical cytology). This includes:

 

• Symptomatic patients
• Patients attending for a test of cure (after histologically confirmed HSIL).
• Patients who have had previous AIS (endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ).
• DES exposed patients.
• Pregnant women.
• Patients who have previously had gynaecologic cancer.

These patients still require a clinician collected cervical sample as they require both HPV testing (testing for the virus) and cytology co-testing (looking at the cells).

The laboratories cannot do any reflex liquid based cytology (LBC) on the sample if it is required.

If the HPV test is positive for HPV 16/18 the patient will need to be referred to a specialist.

If the HPV test is positive for other oncogenic HPV, the patient will need to return to their GP to have a (clinician collected) sample for LBC.

Request form must clearly state: Self collect, cervical screening test.

 

MATERIALS REQUIRED

For self-collect the following materials are required:
1. Western Diagnostic Pathology request form
2. Copan Floq swab (Red Top COPAN552C.80) - available from Western Diagnostic Pathology
3. Self-collect - HPV Specimen Collection of the Cervical Screening Program instructions (overleaf)
4. ThinPrep® vial
Self collect kits can be ordered from our website. Visit wdp.com.au/clinicians/order-consumables.
Self-Collect - HPV Specimen Collection for the Cervical Screening Program

MEDICARE REBATE
Cervical screening requests that follow the National prescribed clinical guidelines will be bulk billed subject to Medicare guidelines and criteria.

 

SELF-COLLECTION INFORMATION -  Click here to download the self- collection guide instructions.