Health Professionals anywhere in Australia can 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 th VIC 3053 Sou VIC ton ton Carl Carl 178 n St, Box 0300 PO Swansto9250 752 ne: 03 Pho
3053 th VIC 3053 Sou VIC ton ton Carl Carl 178 n St, Box 0300 PO Swansto9250 752 ne: 03 Pho
• New clinics and practitioners should register with VCS Pathology via www.vcs.org.au/pathology/for-practitioners/vcs-pathology-registration/ y 3 log 305 Patho 178 H VIC VCS Paid SOUT Reply TON CARL
y 3 log 305 Patho 178 H VIC VCS Paid SOUT Reply TON CARL
• Results can be downloaded or posted to registered practitioners. 2. Sending samples ES
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• 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. B
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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• Practitioners can request their laboratory forward samples to VCS Pathology or they can mail samples direct to VCS Pathology
3. Sampling devices • Use a red-top flocked swab (Copan FLOQswab 552C) to collect the vaginal sample • To order call (03) 9250 0300 or visit: www.vcs.org.au/pathology/for-practitioners/consumables-order-form/ 4. No cost to eligible patients • Samples from eligible participants who are Medicare enrolled will be bulk billed. • For Medicare ineligible patients please call (03) 9250 0300. 5. Instructions for women 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, standing, sitting or lying down • Insert the swab into your vagina, aiming to insert up to the red mark
• To access a visual guide to support participants, “How to take your own HPV test” visit www.vcs.org.au/pathology/for-practitioners/self-collection-resources/ 6. Completing the request form • Select CST or request a cervical screening test. • Please record Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, country of birth and language spoken
STEP THREE • Rotate the swab gently 1 - 3 times • Then remove the swab • It should not cause discomfort
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
Images kindly contributed by Cancer Council Victoria 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
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265 Faraday Street Carlton VIC 3053 Phone: 03 9250 0300 Fax: 03 9349 1977 Website: www.vcs.org.au
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: (03) 9250 0309