A still image from ScreenMe! - a film that encourages cervical screening among those with a disability. The film was co-created by the Daffodil Centre , the Centre for Disability Studies and disability-inclusive filmmaker Bus Stop Films with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Car
Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer, but people with disability are less likely to undertake cervical screening compared with the general population. University of Sydney researchers are campaigning to change that, debuting short film Screen Me! to highlight the importance of cervical screening and encourage people with disability aged 25 to 74 with a cervix to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a test.
The short film was made for and by people with disability and was co-created by the Daffodil Centre , the Centre for Disability Studies and disability-inclusive filmmaker Bus Stop Films with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. It follows four people with disability as they discuss the importance of cervical screening. In the film, each make an appointment and support each other to get screened.
"Cervical screening is a test that helps save lives," said Professor Deborah Bateson AM who co-led the project from the Daffodil Centre. "It checks that your cervix is healthy by identifying the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers before it has a chance to develop, and to help identify the risk of cervical cancer early.
"The screening is for everyone with a cervix aged 25 to 74, and it's recommended to have it done every five years. It's a short, easy test that can be done by your doctor or your nurse, or you have the option to do the test yourself through self-collection. If requested, doctors and nurses can also assist a person to take their self-collected vaginal sample."
ScreenMe!
Professor Bateson said that while Australia is making great progress on cervical screening, it is important that no-one is left behind: "If you have complex health needs, it can be hard to make time for preventive healthcare like cervical screening, even though it's really important," she said.
"People with disability are less likely to access cervical screening for a range of reasons, including lack of accessible information and services, past sexual trauma (which this group are more likely to experience) and previous negative screening experiences. Sometimes healthcare providers, family members or carers may also wrongly assume that a person with disability has not been sexually active or had sexual contact and does not need cervical screening."
Speaking at the film's screening, ScreenMe! co-lead and CEO of the Centre for Disability Studies Associate Professor Mary-Ann O'Donovan spoke to the importance of having a film that was written and created both by and for people with disability.
"ScreenMe! Is an excellent example of a campaign that has been co-designed by individuals in the disability community, amplifying their leadership and ownership of this important topic. It's imperative that we build inclusion into all projects, and that lived experience expertise is fully resourced."
Dr Annmaree Watharow, a lived experience research fellow in the Centre for Disability Research and Policy who is deafblind and spoke on a panel at the screening said: "It's a very complicated space if you're a person with disabilities and you would need or like to go to the doctor. The barriers can be quite complicated and sometimes people need extra support. This is something the ScreenMe! campaign thought about and addressed."
What is a cervical screening test?
A cervical screening test checks for human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a common infection which can be passed on by skin-to-skin connection during sexual contact. Usually, HPV goes away on its own, but sometimes it can stay in your body. Over time, it can slowly cause cell changes in your cervix that could lead to cervical cancer.
In 2017, the cervical screening test replaced an older test known as the pap smear. You should do a cervical screening test every 5 years because it can detect HPV earlier and is more accurate. You also have options for how to do the test.
Where can I get a cervical screening test?
Usually, you do a cervical screening test at your regular general practice (GP) clinic every 5 years from the age of 25. To do the test, you can also visit your local family planning clinic, community health clinic or Aboriginal Health Service.
How do I do the test?
There are 2 ways to do a cervical screening test:
- Healthcare provider-collected : A doctor or nurse can do the test for you using a speculum. This is a duck-bill shaped tool that goes into your vagina, so they can see and access your cervix. This shouldn't hurt, but some people find the speculum uncomfortable. If it hurts too much, make sure you tell your doctor or nurse.
- Self-collection/self-swab : You can do the test yourself using a thin swab. You will insert the self-swab 4 to 5 centimetres into your vagina and rotate it for 10 to 30 seconds. No speculum is needed because for the self-collected test you don't need to reach your cervix. Your doctor or nurse will give you the self-swab, instructions, a private space to do the test yourself
You can do both testing options at a healthcare practice or clinic. This is so the doctor or nurse can give you support or help if you need it, send your test to the pathology lab, and look after your results and take care of any follow up you might need.
Declaration
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.
