Health Professionals anywhere in Australia can now access the Self Collection Pathway for the National Cervical Screening Program. VCS Pathology is the first service accredited to offer HPV testing for self-collected vaginal samples. More than 80% of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer have never been screened or have participated inadequately in the screening program.1
HOW TO SEND SAMPLES TO VCS 1. Register with VCS to receive results 3053 h VIC 3053 on Souton VIC Carlt Carlt 178 n St, Box PO Swansto9250 0300 752 ne: 03 Pho
3053 h VIC 3053 on Souton VIC Carlt Carlt 178 n St, Box PO Swansto9250 0300 752 ne: 03 Pho
• New clinics and practitioners should register with VCS Pathology via www.vcspathology.org.au/practitioners/vcs-pathology-registration ogy 3 hol 305 Pat 178 VCS Paid UTH VIC ly Rep ON SO CARLT
ogy 3 hol 305 Pat 178 VCS Paid UTH VIC ly Rep ON SO CARLT
• Results can be downloaded or posted to registered practitioners. 2. Sending samples
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2. Place swab into Specimen Bag and request slip into outer pocket.
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1. Ensure swab is labelled with patient surname, given name and DOB.
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ICA LOG BIO
• Practitioners can request their laboratory forward samples to VCS Pathology or they can mail samples direct to VCS Pathology • A specimen bag containing both the sample and request form can be placed in an envelope and mailed to: VCS Pathology Reply Paid 178 Carlton South VIC 3053. 3. Sampling devices • Use a red-top flocked swab (Copan FLOQswab 552C) to collect the vaginal sample • To order call 1800 611 635 or visit: www.vcspathology.org.au/practitioners/consumables-order-form *
4. No cost to eligible patients • Samples from eligible Victorian women are processed without charge. • Samples from eligible women in other states and territories who are Medicare enrolled will be bulk billed. • For Medicare ineligible patients please call 1800 611 635.
STEP ONE • Lower your underwear • Twist the red cap and pull out the swab • Look at the swab and note the red mark closest to the soft tip
STEP TWO • Get in a comfortable position • Insert the swab into your vagina, aiming to insert up to the red mark
• A PIP Cervical Screening SIP is available for taking a CST, clinician or patient-collected, from a person who has not been screened in 4 or more years. Contact the PIP enquiry line on 1800 222 032 for more information. 5. Instructions for women • To access a visual guide to support women, “How to take your own HPV test” visit www.vcspathology.org.au/practitioners/self-collection-resources 6. Completing the request form • Select CST or request a cervical screening test.
STEP THREE • Rotate the swab gently 1 - 3 times • Then remove the swab • It should not hurt
STEP FOUR • Place the swab back in the tube • Return the tube to your doctor or nurse • If you have any questions, ask your doctor or nurse
* This image is adapted from Garrow SC et al. The diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and trichomonas infections by self-obtained low vaginal swabs in remote northern Australian clinical practice. Sex Transm Infect. 2002 Aug; 78 (4):278-81 1. Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry. Statistical Report 2013. Carlton South: The Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry(VCCR); 2013 Available from: http://www.vccr.org/site/VCCR/filesystem/documents/dataandresearch/StatisticalReports/ VCS_StatisticsReport_2013_Web_SinglePages_Final.pdf 2 Corp-Mkt-Pub 135 V5
265 Faraday Street Carlton VIC 3053 Phone: 03 9250 0300 Fax: 03 9349 1977 Website: www.vcs.org.au
• Please record ATSI/CALD, Language spoken and COB status Eligibility criteria: • Aged 30 years or over, and • More than 2 years overdue for screening, and • Decline (for whatever reason) a speculum examination.
For more information and clinical support contact a VCS Liaison Physician toll free: 1800 611 635