Young Woman Speaks Of A Health Scare That’s Now Even Easier To Prevent

Every 60 seconds, someone’s mother, wife, sister, aunt or daughter is diagnosed with cervical cancer somewhere in the world, with over 800 cases diagnosed in Australia each year.

Australia is on track to be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer by as early as 2028. A game-changing step towards elimination is that the federal department of health is now offering self-collection to all screeners aged between 24 and 75 years old.

This expanded self-collection aims to remove some cultural and personal barriers that have been discouraging some women from screening.

Australia’s leading supplier of the HPV test Roche Diagnostics has confirmed their tests are widely available across the country, so women from areas like Western Australia and regional and remote areas will have access to the Self-collection Cervical Cancer Screening Program.

Caitlin Rose, 27, knows what it’s like to have a cervical cancer scare and shares her experience with Mouths of Mums, and the hope she has for self-collection to encourage more women to take ownership of their health and get screened if they’ve put it off – especially during the pandemic.

“It was in the back of my mind that I had to get a cervical cancer screening, but it was always one of those things where I was like, ‘I don’t have time’ or because it is a procedure, I would feel more comfortable seeing my regular GP about it. I thought, ‘I don’t have the money to go and see my GP just for this.’

“My GP was the one who really brought it to the forefront of my attention to have a screening done as I hadn’t had one before. It was only when I went home and my partner at the time asked how my appointment went and I said, ‘It’s all good, but she would like me to get a cervical cancer screening test.’ He was the one that encouraged me to take the doctor’s advice and prioritise the screening.

“I was lucky that I had this same GP since I was 12 and we knew each other very well. She explained the process to me and that it could be painful or uncomfortable, so I knew what to expect. I don’t want to use the word ‘embarrassing’ because it wasn’t, but for the first time undergoing the screening I felt self-conscious, so I understand the hesitation.

“I was at work when I received the call, and I was anticipating an ‘all good’ result. It never crossed my mind to even be worried because there is this assumption of ‘I’m young, there’s no way that there is going to be anything wrong.’

“I was up to date with my vaccinations, so it was a huge shock when I got the call. Firstly, I had HPV, the human papillomavirus, which can lead to cervical cancer. My results showed that I had C-16 and C-18. My GP then explained it is a sexually transmitted disease and I was horrified.

“I was very quiet initially as I didn’t know how I felt about it all. I spoke with my mum, sister and partner but was still very stressed. Especially because there is a stigma attached to HPV because it is an STD so there is a sense of shame associated with that.

“I would share with my younger self and any other women who are hesitant, to ‘listen to health advice and experts,’ and it’s important to have conversations with family and friends. I do think there is this kind of invincibility idea when you’re young as well. The thought, ‘It’s not going to happen to me.’ I would say we are not invincible, bad things can happen. We need to take responsibility for ourselves and our health.

“Before going through all of this, I would never have volunteered to publicly talk about cervical cancer screening, but I think it’s so important to talk about it openly. I had no symptoms that would suggest anything was remotely wrong. I now must have bi-annual screening because the results raised concern that it could diverge into cancer cells.

“I do hope that this option introduced by the government to self-collect will encourage more people to go and get screened. There’s no reason to wait. It could change the trajectory of your life.”

23 Comments

- - mom111059 said
  - 07 Aug 2022
    8:16 pm
Great to have self-screening. I think more will do it then. Thanks for making us aware.

- - mom321588 said
  - 31 Jul 2022
    8:37 am
Firstly, I can’t believe Australia’s on track to becoming a country who eradicates a cancer! Wow!
Gynecological cancers really frighten me, as the symptoms can often mimic a woman’s normal hormonal symptoms. If there is a test that can help to check for any changes, I have nothing but praise for any awareness and or/accessibility.

- - mom101628 said
  - 30 Jul 2022
    2:31 pm
Such a great post and one very worthwhile for all young mums out there. Finding out you are all clear is so wonderful for peace of mind. Thanks so much for sharing this post.

- - natct said
  - 30 Jul 2022
    9:33 am
A long time ago I never got checked and then before getting pregnant I thought I would get everything tested and my pap came back with a scare. I was terrified but it had been caught early and three kids later I’m fine and currently searching for a new doctor after moving towns. I used to get it done by a nurse and pay a lower cost as the last town had no female doctors. Here I’m not sure yet who does it but I’m looking for a female doctor. A self test would be great for lots of us.

- - mumof3 said
  - 29 Jul 2022
    6:34 pm
This is a great reminder to get checked. Very important.

- - BellaB said
  - 29 Jul 2022
    6:32 pm
Yes – these tests aren’t fun, but they aren’t that bad either, and might just save your life.

- - My Little Buttons said
  - 29 Jul 2022
    6:25 pm
Yes please ladies take some time and get tested it could save your life

- - alyise_ said
  - 29 Jul 2022
    8:43 am
its so important to be aware

- - Ellen said
  - 29 Jul 2022
    7:38 am
Also important to know the difference between pap-smear and cervical test; The Cervical Screening Test will look and feel the same as the Pap smear. However, the Pap smear only looked for cell changes in the cervix, whereas the Cervical Screening Test looks for the HPV which can lead to cell changes in the cervix.
- mum1 replied
  
  29 Jul 2022 , 12:50 pm
  Thank you for explaining the difference. I never knew
- - Ellen said
  - 29 Jul 2022
    7:35 am
I think it’s a good thing they introduced this self collection test

- - Frankiielot said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    11:34 pm
A good read, I’ll need to get one done as I’ve never had one done before. I didn’t even know it was something to get done as I thought it was just pap smears that women usually get but this is so great to raise awareness!

- - mom265671 said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    10:50 pm
Thank you fo rthis. So important for people to pay attention and get tested

- - romvar said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    3:00 pm
As with all medical conditions early detection is better than cure.!

- - Mom466555 said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    2:14 pm
Fantastic initiative

- - mom485125 said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    1:19 pm
A great initiative because from my experience in the health field, the embarressment/awkwardness of undertaking the exam is identified as a barrier to people getting checked regularly.

- - cassy26 said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    12:03 pm
While i think its great that more people may be encouraged to test if they can self collect the samples I do hope that there are not a lot more inconclusive test results from samples being taken incorrectly…

- - Jessica said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    10:35 am
I’m spnworried about cervical cancer! Glad that it can be detected relatively early though
- Jessica replied
  
  28 Jul 2022 , 10:35 am
  *I’m so worried
- - mom467133 said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    8:41 am
That’s great it is now more accessible. She does raise a point about not wanting to pay to see the dr just for that though. It’s disappointing that the medicare rebate is no longer sustainable on its own for most doctors to bulk bill, in my area almost all bulk billing doctors have ceased as of July and charge a fee
- Ellen replied
  
  29 Jul 2022 , 7:37 am
  No, that is not good indeed. It will increase the threshold of going to the doctor
- - TraceyGail said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    8:09 am
We all have to take care and be aware. The tests are there to have , we just have to try to do them regularly.

- - KellyB said
  - 28 Jul 2022
    7:20 am
It is great that this young lady has come out and spoken about her experience.
Having a cervical screening is not something we talk openly about but so very important. It is great to read that self screening tests may become available for all.