Cervical screening in pregnancy: an opportunity for nurses and midwives to drive equitable cervical cancer elimination

Abstract

Cervical screening is not offered within all maternity services in Australia, with a clear gap between clinical guidelines and best practice. Women remain unscreened despite multiple pregnancies. Collective action is urgently needed across all professional groups to make cervical screening a routine part of maternity care. Nurses and midwives are well placed to champion this and the availability of self-collection for cervical screening makes this a realistic goal. However, implementation of screening in maternity care requires system changes to reduce structural hierarchies. We all have a part to play in the equitable elimination of cervical cancer.