Australia is working toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2035, aiming for an incidence rate below four cases per 100,000 people. That target depends on screening participation, and participation depends on how easy it is for women to access their GP. A five-minute self-collected HPV test at a local clinic can be the difference between a woman who screens on time and one who falls years behind schedule.
At Dandenong Doctors, cervical screening and contraception services are provided as part of a broader approach to women's health GP services in Dandenong. The doctors at the clinic support women across different stages of their reproductive lives, helping them make informed decisions about screening, family planning, and sexual health. Having both services available at the same clinic, under the same GP, means conversations about one topic naturally connect with the other.
How Cervical Screening Works in Australia
The National Cervical Screening Program moved from two-yearly Pap smear testing to five-yearly primary HPV testing in December 2017. The test looks for human papillomavirus, which is the underlying cause of almost all cervical cancers. Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 are eligible to participate. If the HPV test comes back negative, the next screening is due in five years. This longer interval reflects the high sensitivity of HPV testing compared with the older cytology-based approach.
Updated guidelines took effect in April 2025, introducing several changes to how results are managed. The Australian Government Department of Health oversees the program through the National Cancer Screening Register, which sends reminders to eligible participants when their next test is due. The register also holds screening history, which helps GPs and specialists coordinate follow-up care. This means that even if a woman changes GP or moves to a different area, her screening record travels with her.
A key change in the 2025 guidelines is the simplified test of cure pathway for women treated for high-grade abnormalities. Instead of combined testing, annual HPV tests are now recommended until two consecutive negative results are achieved. This reduces the number of procedures a woman needs while maintaining close surveillance. The guidelines also allow women on a follow-up pathway to use self-collection for their test, which was not previously an option at all follow-up points.
Self-Collection: A Straightforward Option
Since July 2022, every eligible participant in the National Cervical Screening Program has been able to choose self-collection. This means a woman collects her own vaginal swab in the privacy of a consultation room, rather than having a clinician-collected speculum examination. The test detects HPV with comparable accuracy to clinician-collected samples.
Research published in BMC Medicine found that 29 per cent of cervical screening tests in Victoria between July 2022 and June 2024 used self-collection. Before universal availability, the figure was 0.41 per cent. The uptake has been especially strong among women who were more than ten years overdue for screening, with 51.9 per cent of that group choosing self-collection. Women in remote areas chose self-collection at a rate of 53.9 per cent, compared with 23.8 per cent in major cities.
At Dandenong Doctors, the GPs explain both collection options during the appointment. Women who prefer self-collection are given the swab and can complete the test themselves in a private room. The GP then sends the sample to the laboratory and follows up with the patient once results are available. For women who are overdue or have never screened, self-collection removes a barrier that may have kept them from attending in the past. The experience is quick, private, and does not involve a physical examination.
The uptake figures are significant because under-screening is a strong predictor of cervical cancer. Women who have not been screened for 10 or more years account for a disproportionate number of cervical cancer diagnoses. Self-collection brings these women back into the screening pathway at a point where early detection can make a meaningful difference. At Dandenong Doctors, the GPs offer this option without judgment, recognising that the reasons women fall behind with screening are varied and personal.
What Happens After a Positive HPV Result
A positive HPV result does not mean a woman has cervical cancer. It means the virus has been detected, and further investigation is needed to determine if any cell changes have occurred. The management pathway depends on which HPV type is found.
If HPV 16 or 18 is detected, the woman is referred directly for colposcopy. These two types carry a higher risk of progressing to cervical abnormalities. If a different oncogenic HPV type is detected, the next step is cytology, which involves a laboratory assessment of the cells. Depending on the cytology result, the woman may be referred for colposcopy or offered a follow-up test in 12 months. The 2025 guideline update has also refined how immune-deficient patients are managed, recommending three-yearly screening instead of five-yearly for specific groups.
The GPs at Dandenong Doctors guide patients through this process, explaining what each result means and what happens next. Having a GP who understands the screening pathway reduces anxiety and helps women stay engaged with follow-up rather than avoiding appointments out of fear. The clinic also offers health screening appointments where cervical screening can be combined with other preventive checks, such as blood pressure monitoring, diabetes risk assessment, and breast screening referrals.
Understanding Contraception Options
Choosing a contraceptive method is a decision that benefits from a thorough conversation with a GP. A woman's age, medical history, future reproductive plans, and daily routine all influence which method will work best for her. The Australian Prescriber notes that prescribing should be guided by the individual's medical eligibility alongside factors such as reproductive life stage, drug interactions, and lifestyle. A method that works well for a woman in her twenties may no longer be appropriate when she reaches her forties.
Short-acting methods include combined oral contraceptive pills and progestogen-only pills. These require daily adherence and suit women who are comfortable with a daily routine. A newer option, the vaginal ring, was listed on the PBS in November 2025 and offers a monthly cycle alternative to daily pills. It releases a combination of hormones to prevent ovulation, and each ring lasts one month before being replaced.
Long-acting reversible contraception includes the contraceptive implant and intrauterine devices. These methods have the highest typical-use effectiveness because they do not depend on daily action. The implant sits under the skin of the upper arm and lasts up to three years. Intrauterine devices are placed inside the uterus and can last between five and ten years depending on the type. Both are easily reversible, with fertility returning quickly after removal. Copper intrauterine devices offer a non-hormonal alternative for women who prefer to avoid hormonal methods entirely.
Access and Affordability
Cost has historically been a barrier to accessing long-acting contraception. The procedure for insertion and removal, combined with the device cost, could reach several hundred dollars out of pocket. In November 2025, changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule made these services more affordable. More than 55,000 long-acting contraceptive services have been bulk-billed since the changes took effect. The Australian Government has also invested $25.6 million to establish eight LARC Centres of Excellence, one in each state and territory.
These centres offer free advice, insertion, and removal services, and they complement the work already being done in GP clinics. At Dandenong Doctors, the GPs discuss the full range of options without cost being a deciding factor. Bulk billing means the consultation itself carries no out-of-pocket expense for eligible patients. For women who need a referral to a specialist provider for a particular procedure, the GP coordinates that referral and manages the follow-up.
The affordability changes matter most for women who would otherwise have chosen a less effective method because of price. When the most effective options are also the most affordable, the conversation between GP and patient shifts from what a woman can afford to what actually suits her health and life circumstances.
Contraception Beyond Pregnancy Prevention
Many women use contraception for reasons other than preventing pregnancy. Hormonal methods can help manage heavy or painful periods, reduce symptoms of endometriosis, treat acne, and regulate irregular cycles. A GP who understands the connection between hormonal management and gynaecological symptoms can recommend a method that addresses more than one concern at the same time. This dual benefit is often underappreciated, and a GP appointment is the right place to explore it.
For women approaching menopause management, contraception remains relevant because pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause until a woman has gone 12 months without a period. The GP can advise on appropriate contraceptive methods for this life stage, taking into account changing hormonal levels and the increased cardiovascular considerations that come with age. Stopping contraception too early can result in an unplanned pregnancy in a woman who assumed she was no longer fertile.
Women with chronic conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or cardiovascular disease may need to avoid certain types of contraception. A GP who has access to the patient's full medical history can identify these considerations and recommend alternatives. The clinic's chronic disease management plan services can support this kind of coordinated care, especially for women who are managing multiple conditions at once.
Sexual Health and STI Screening
Contraception appointments are also an opportunity to discuss sexual health more broadly. Sexually transmitted infections are common and often asymptomatic, which means regular testing is important for anyone who is sexually active. A GP can arrange STI testing through a simple blood test and swab, with results usually available within a few days. Chlamydia, in particular, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and affect fertility if left untreated, making early detection important for women who plan to have children in the future.
At Dandenong Doctors, GPs provide a non-judgemental environment for these conversations. Women can request STI screening at any appointment, and the clinic handles results confidentially. If a positive result is returned, the GP can arrange treatment and support partner notification where appropriate. The clinic's approach is practical and discreet, and the GPs understand that sexual health conversations require sensitivity.
Combining contraception, cervical screening, and STI testing into a single visit is an efficient approach that many women find easier to manage. The GPs at the clinic are happy to cover multiple areas in one appointment when a longer consultation is booked. This avoids the need for repeated visits and makes it more likely that everything gets addressed.
For women from culturally diverse backgrounds, the ability to request a female GP for these appointments can make a significant difference to comfort and willingness to attend. The GPs at Dandenong Doctors understand that cultural attitudes to reproductive health vary, and they adapt their communication style accordingly. This sensitivity is part of what makes the clinic accessible to the wider Dandenong community.
When to See Your GP
Any woman aged 25 or older who has not had a cervical screening test in the past five years should book an appointment. Women who are considering starting, changing, or stopping contraception also benefit from a GP consultation. Symptoms such as irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, or changes in menstrual patterns should be discussed with a doctor rather than managed without professional input.
It is also worth remembering that contraception is not a permanent commitment. Women's needs change, and a regular review with a GP allows the method to change with them. A woman who started on the pill at 20 may benefit from switching to a long-acting option at 30. A woman who chose an intrauterine device before having children may want it removed when she is ready to conceive. The GP appointment is where these transitions are planned and supported, and regular review means the woman is never stuck with a method that no longer fits.
Women planning a pregnancy in the near future can use the same appointment to discuss preconception health, folate supplementation, and any investigations that might be helpful before conception. This can lead into pregnancy care at your local GP once pregnancy is confirmed. The contact page has details on how to book online or by phone.