Cervical Screening Project

Project Title

Enhancing Equity in Cervical Screening

Funding

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

The overall aim of the funding is to implement activities to support increasing participation in the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) for people with disability

Project Summary

Phase 1 – Screen Me (Complete)

CDS worked in collaboration with the Daffodil Centre at the University of Sydney on a campaign to enhance cervical screening for people with intellectual disability. After screening barriers were identified, an awareness campaign was launched to emphasize the importance of cervical screening, including the option of self-collection. The development of accessible information on cervical screening is a key part of this project, as well as educational resources for healthcare professionals in the form of a live webinar series.

The campaign is being promoted through national networks of peak bodies, disability organisations and representative bodies for GPs, nurses and allied health professionals. The campaign materials are hosted on numerous websites including DOH, Centre for Disability Studies and Daffodil Centre. Access them through the below link.

Phase 2 – Training & Advocacy (In Progress)

Phase 2 of the project focuses on training and advocacy. Led by the Centre for Disability Studies and the University of Sydney, this phase aims to increase cervical screening participation by promoting the use of the Personal Representative Function of the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).

This part of the project with consultations with people with lived experience of disability, healthcare professionals, and supporters to inform the development of accessible and relevant training materials.

A team of Screening Advocates, who are women and people with a cervix with lived experience of disability, will co-design and co-deliver educational resources. These include four national webinars and two training videos designed for the disability sector and family carers.

The goal is to raise awareness of cervical screening and to support both formal and informal carers to help people with disability access preventive healthcare. This phase continues the project’s commitment to inclusive design, leadership by lived experience, and equitable access to screening.