Cervical cancer is a common disease caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV) that is highly preventable through vaccination, screening for abnormal cells and treatment of precancerous lesions. But there are a host of reasons why women may not get screened for cervical cancer.  Perhaps they are scared, self-conscious or embarrassed about the procedure, which involves inserting a speculum into the vagina and taking a swab of the cervix to test for abnormal cells or pre-cancerous lesions. They might be too busy or have difficulty in booking a test, or they might not have access to a clinic offering these services at all. In many countries, cultural barriers, stigma and harmful social and gender norms also prevent women and people with a cervix from accessing cervical cancer screening programs. And for those that have experienced sexual violence, having a regular ‘pap smear’ or ‘smear test’ from a doctor can feel traumatic. Research shows that in the UK, 1 in 4 women did not attend their smear test when invited. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to a substantial reduction in preventive healthcare globally, including HPV vaccinations and cervical cancer screenings. Detecting and treating pre-cancerous cells can be life-saving. Not attending a screening can increase one’s risk of developing cervical cancer; the fourth most common cancer among women globally. In 2020, there were an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths globally, about 90% of which occurred in low- and middle-income countries and reflects the limited equitable access to vaccination, screening and treatment programs.  It is crucial that we find ways to make screening easier, more dignified and person-centred.  Cervical cancer self-sampling is compatible with the WHO’s guidelines on self-care to improve health and well-being. Fortunately, its expansion in a growing number of countries around the world is also proving to be a game-changer in eliminating cervical cancer. What is cervical cancer self-sampling?  A new method of HPV testing can be performed on vaginal samples collected by the patient in a process known as self-sampling. The swab used to collect the sample has been likened to a small mascara brush or a COVID test swab, which is then sent to a lab for analysis.  This is a safe and easy approach that can reach women that otherwise would not participate in a clinician-based screening or have access to a screening test.  According to one study conducted in the UK, 51% of eligible women aged 25-64 chose self-sampling as their preferred method for cervical screening. If more people around the world are given this choice, we could see an even greater number of clients choose to self-sample.  Papua New Guinea, for example, has among the highest rates of cervical cancer globally, but currently has no national screening or HPV vaccination programme. Catherine Totona, a health extension officer who manages the cervical cancer clinic at Madang provincial hospital in Papua New Guinea, says the self-sampling method is helping to reach more women across the country. “Most women were reluctant or ashamed to come for screening thinking that we clinicians will examine them or use speculums to collect their vaginal specimens,” she said. “However, when their friends came and told them about using the self-sampling method, more women were flexible and came for screening and testing.” Juliana Kajoi, a midwife at the clinic, has used the self-sampling method herself.  “I felt the self-sampling method is more convenient than clinician-collected specimens where we women do not expose our body, thus encouraging more women to come for screening,” she said. In addition to self-sampling and smear tests, other methods for cervical cancer screening include visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine (VIA/VILI) and cytology, which is the examination of cells. If abnormal or precancerous lesions are detected through self-sampling or by a clinician, they are treated with techniques to destroy the cells such as through cryotherapy (freezing the cells) or surgical techniques to remove them.