At Shire Family Medical in Sutherland, cervical screening is offered as part of GP-led women’s health care — including discussions about self-collection, follow-up after abnormal results, and how screening fits into your broader health history. Shire Family Medical, a GP medical centre at 154 Flora Street, Sutherland, sees many patients who still have questions about the shift from the Pap smear to the current test, what it involves, and when they are next due.
This article explains what changed and why, who needs screening and how often, what self-collection involves, how to read different result types, and when symptoms should prompt an earlier GP visit.
What Is the Cervical Screening Test?
The cervical screening test is a laboratory test that checks for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) — the virus responsible for almost all cervical cancers. Unlike the old Pap smear, which looked for abnormal cells on the cervix, the current test detects the virus that can cause those changes before they develop.
Australia’s National Cervical Screening Program introduced HPV-based testing in December 2017 as a replacement for the two-yearly Pap smear. Most eligible people now screen every five years rather than every two.
Importantly, a cervical screening test does not check for ovarian cancer or uterine cancer — only cervical cancer risk through HPV detection.
How Is It Different From the Old Pap Smear?
The Pap smear was introduced in Australia in the 1960s and looked directly for abnormal cervical cell changes. It was a meaningful early-detection tool for decades, and helped reduce cervical cancer rates significantly over that time.
The shift to HPV testing reflects a scientific advance: once researchers confirmed that HPV causes approximately 99% of cervical cancers, testing for the virus became a more direct way to identify risk earlier — before abnormal cells have the chance to develop.
The practical differences between the two programs are significant:
- The Pap smear was recommended every two years; the cervical screening test is recommended every five years for most eligible people with a normal result.
- Screening age starts at 25, rather than the old program’s starting age of 18.
- The current test detects HPV before it causes any visible cell changes, rather than detecting changes after they have begun.
Who Should Have Cervical Screening?
Cervical screening is recommended for eligible people aged 25 to 74 who have a cervix and have ever been sexually active — regardless of gender identity, relationship type, or sexual orientation.
Screening is still recommended even if you:
- have been vaccinated against HPV
- have had only one sexual partner
- are no longer sexually active
- feel well and have no symptoms
- are in a same-sex relationship
- are transgender, gender diverse, or non-binary and have a cervix
If you are 75 or older, your GP can advise whether screening remains relevant for you. If you have had a hysterectomy, the answer depends on what type of hysterectomy was performed — a GP can clarify your individual situation.
Does the HPV Vaccine Mean You Can Skip Screening?
No. HPV vaccination reduces the risk of infection from several high-risk HPV types, but it does not protect against every strain linked to cervical cancer. Screening remains recommended for all eligible people regardless of vaccination status. If you are unsure whether you were vaccinated, or which strains your vaccination covered, your GP can help clarify what this means for your screening schedule.
What Is Self-Collection?
Self-collection allows eligible people to collect their own vaginal swab for HPV testing, usually in a private space at the clinic. The swab does not need to reach the cervix — it is inserted into the vagina and rotated gently for a short time. Research shows that self-collected samples produce results as accurate as clinician-collected samples.
Self-collection can be a useful option for people who find speculum examinations uncomfortable, distressing, or difficult to access for other reasons. Your GP or nurse can explain the process in detail, confirm whether you are eligible, and guide you through what to expect.
Self-collection is not suitable for everyone. If you have symptoms such as bleeding after sex, unusual discharge, or pelvic pain, a clinician-collected sample or further examination is likely more appropriate.
What Happens During a Cervical Screening Appointment?
A cervical screening appointment usually begins with a short conversation. Your GP may ask about your last result, any current symptoms, your menstrual pattern, contraception use, pregnancy, or menopause status.
If a clinician-collected sample is being taken, a small speculum is gently inserted so the cervix can be seen and a swab used to collect a sample. The procedure is brief, though some people experience mild discomfort or pressure. If it is painful, let the doctor or nurse know straight away.
If self-collection is appropriate, you will be given a swab and instructions and can collect the sample privately. Either way, the sample is sent to a pathology laboratory for HPV testing.
You can ask for the steps to be explained before anything begins, ask to pause at any point, or ask whether self-collection is suitable. Bringing a support person is also an option.
Can You Have Cervical Screening While on Your Period?
It is generally better to schedule cervical screening when you are not menstruating, as menstrual blood can affect sample quality and may lead to an unsatisfactory result that needs repeating. If you have light spotting or are near the end of your period, your GP or nurse can advise whether to proceed or reschedule. If unsure, call the clinic before your appointment.
What Do Cervical Screening Results Mean?
Cervical screening results fall into a small number of categories, each indicating a different next step. Understanding what each one means can reduce the anxiety of waiting for a result.
Return to screen in five years means no HPV was detected. No further action is needed until your next routine screen. A reminder is generally sent from the National Cancer Screening Register before you are due.
Return to screen in 12 months means HPV has been detected, but no abnormal cells were identified. Your body may clear the HPV on its own within that period — this happens in most cases. A follow-up test in 12 months will confirm whether it has resolved.
Refer to a specialist means either a specific high-risk HPV type was found, or abnormal cells were identified alongside HPV. This does not mean you have cervical cancer, but a specialist review — often a colposcopy, which is a closer examination of the cervix — is recommended.
Unsatisfactory result means the laboratory could not read the sample clearly. A repeat test in 6 to 12 weeks is standard. It does not mean something is wrong with your cervix.
An abnormal result should be followed up — but not approached with immediate alarm. Your GP can explain what the result means in your specific situation and guide the next step clearly.
How Long Do Cervical Screening Results Take?
Cervical screening results are typically returned within two to four weeks of the sample being collected, though timing can vary depending on the laboratory. Results are sent to the National Cancer Screening Register and to the practice where your test was done. Your GP will contact you to discuss the result, particularly if any follow-up is needed.
When Should You See a GP Before Your Next Screen Is Due?
Symptoms should always be assessed regardless of when you last had routine screening. Book a GP appointment if you experience:
- Bleeding after sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after menopause
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
These symptoms can have many causes, most of which are not related to cervical cancer. But they warrant assessment rather than monitoring at home. A normal previous screen result does not mean symptoms should wait until your next routine appointment.
If irregular or heavy bleeding is part of the picture, our article on heavy periods and when to see your GP covers when menstrual changes deserve review and how they can connect to other conditions such as iron deficiency.
How Cervical Screening Fits Into Women’s Health Care
Cervical screening is one part of a broader picture of women’s health. A GP appointment can also be an opportunity to discuss contraception, perimenopause symptoms, iron levels, breast health, sexual health, or fertility planning — depending on where you are in life.
If you are reviewing contraception at the same time as your screening, our article on choosing a contraception option explains how a GP appointment can help match options to your circumstances, health history, and plans for the future.
Shire Family Medical’s Women’s Health GP Services include cervical screening, contraception counselling, IUD insertion and removal, iron infusions, and broader preventive care for women at every stage.
If you are overdue for a screen, have questions about self-collection, or received a result you would like to understand more clearly, a GP appointment is a good starting point. You can book online or call the practice on 02 9545 1777.
Book a Women’s Health Appointment →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cervical screening test the same as a Pap smear?
No. The old Pap smear looked for abnormal cervical cells directly. The current cervical screening test looks for HPV — the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers. Australia replaced the Pap smear with HPV-based cervical screening in December 2017. While both tests involve collecting a sample from the cervix or vagina, the newer test detects risk at an earlier stage in the process.
How often do I need cervical screening?
Eligible people aged 25 to 74 are generally recommended to have a cervical screening test every five years, provided results are normal. This is less frequent than the old two-yearly Pap smear because HPV testing is more accurate at identifying risk earlier. Your GP can confirm when you are next due and whether your individual history — including previous results or symptoms — changes the recommended timing.
What is self-collection and am I eligible?
Self-collection allows eligible people to collect their own vaginal swab for HPV testing, usually in a private space at the clinic. The swab is placed inside the vagina and rotated gently — there is no need to reach the cervix. Research confirms the accuracy of self-collected samples is comparable to clinician-collected samples. Your GP can advise whether self-collection is suitable for your circumstances, particularly if you have current symptoms.
Do I still need cervical screening if I had the HPV vaccine?
Yes. HPV vaccination reduces the risk of infection from several high-risk HPV types, but does not protect against every strain linked to cervical cancer. Cervical screening is still recommended for all eligible people aged 25 to 74, regardless of vaccination history. If you are unsure which HPV types your vaccination covered, or whether your vaccination status affects your screening schedule, speak with your GP.
What does “return to screen in 12 months” mean?
A result of “return to screen in 12 months” means HPV has been detected in your sample, but no abnormal cells were found. This result does not mean you have cervical cancer. In most cases, the immune system clears HPV without treatment. A follow-up cervical screening test in 12 months will confirm whether this has occurred. If HPV is still present at that point, further investigation may be recommended.
How long do cervical screening results take?
Cervical screening results are typically returned within two to four weeks of the sample being collected, though this can vary depending on the laboratory. Results are sent to the National Cancer Screening Register and to the practice where you had the test. Your GP will contact you to discuss the result, particularly if any follow-up action is needed. If you have not heard within four weeks, contact your GP practice.
Can you have cervical screening while on your period?
It is generally recommended to schedule cervical screening when you are not menstruating, as menstrual blood can affect the quality of the sample and may lead to an unsatisfactory result requiring a repeat test. If you have light spotting or are near the end of your period, contact your GP practice before the appointment to confirm whether to proceed or reschedule.
What symptoms should prompt a GP visit before my next screen is due?
You should see your GP promptly — rather than waiting for your next routine screen — if you experience bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sex. These symptoms have many possible causes, but they should be assessed by a GP regardless of when your last cervical screen was and whether it returned a normal result.
This article provides general health information only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Any treatment, test, procedure or vaccination mentioned is for illustrative purposes only — suitability depends on individual circumstances and assessment by a qualified health professional. Medical information can change; always speak with your GP about your specific symptoms, health history and care options. In an emergency, call 000.
