Women’s Health Week is an annual event dedicated to the health and well-being of women across Australia. This year, the focus is on raising awareness about the cervical screening self-collection option now available to eligible participants. This initiative is especially significant for those who face barriers to traditional cervical screening, including people with disabilities, those who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those living in rural or remote areas.

Self-collection allows patients to take their own vaginal sample for HPV testing, offering a more accessible and equally effective method for detecting potential issues such as CIN2+, adenocarcinoma in situ, and oncogenic HPV compared to the conventional clinician-administered test. For more information about self-collection, visit ACPCC’s FAQ on self-collection or the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s page on self-collection.

Australia is leading the way in cervical cancer elimination, and 2024 Women’s Health Week is a prime opportunity to ensure that no one is left behind in this significant public health effort. The Australian Government has partnered with various organisations to launch the ‘Own It’ and ‘Screen Me!’ campaigns. These campaigns are designed to increase awareness and equity in cervical screening among priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, multicultural groups, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those living with disabilities or in regional and remote areas.

You’re Invited: Join the Campaign Launch

The official launch of the ‘Own It’ and ‘Screen Me!’ campaigns will be held online on Tuesday, September 3, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The event will feature host Elly Desmarchelier and will be launched by the Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health. Members from diverse communities will share their lived experiences, and campaign materials will be premiered.

This event is designed to be accessible and inclusive for all women and people with a cervix. We invite you to join us in celebrating this important milestone in women’s health.

To register for the online event, click here.

We look forward to seeing you there as we work together to ensure that everyone has access to life-saving health screenings.