I recently received a diagnosis of vaginismus, a condition that makes any form of insertion into the vagina a painful and uncomfortable experience. This diagnosis has made it increasingly challenging to undergo necessary health checks, including the crucial screening for cervical cancer.

According to the CDC, roughly 40,000 women receive a cervical cancer diagnosis annually, making it one of the most common forms of cancer diagnosis among women globally. Despite my discomfort from vaginismus, I and so many others cannot neglect this life-saving screening. Vaginismus is not the only condition that can make undergoing a cervical smear test painful. Those suffering from vulvodynia and endometriosis may also experience discomfort. Endometriosis affects approximately 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth in the UK. Therefore, it is crucial to make the cervical screening programme more accessible to others. 

Self-swabbing for HPV-negative patients like myself could be a revolutionary change that allows us to participate in these essential screenings comfortably. This minor but meaningful adjustment to clinical procedures can considerably enhance the healthcare experience for thousands of HPV-negative women, particularly those living with conditions like vaginismus. In Australia and New Zealand, self-collection using a vaginal swab is already an option for women attending cervical screening. Evidence shows a cervical screening test using a self-collected sample from your vagina is just as accurate at detecting HPV as a clinician-collected sample taken from the cervix during a speculum examination.

We must engage health authorities and policymakers in a dialogue to make self-swabbing an option for HPV-negative women undergoing cervical cancer screening. With their endorsement and action, we can look forward to an inclusive healthcare system, which addresses individual needs and ensures the well-being of everyone, irrespective of the conditions they live with.

Please sign this petition to support the implementation of self-swabbing for HPV-negative patients in cervical cancer screenings. Let's work towards better healthcare accessibility for all.