The questions answered in this podcast are listed below.
They were compiled by GPs and professional attendees at our face-to-face seminars around Australia

1. Aren’t these changes to the cervical cancer screening guidelines just because of saving money? Is this really a cost-cutting measure by the government, or is there solid evidence supporting the change?
2. Shouldn’t we strongly recommend that women requesting cervical screening submit to a speculum exam and collection that way?
3. Will we potentially miss pre-cancerous lesions and cancers with this “too soft” approach?
4. How do we ensure that vulval neoplasia or vaginal neoplasia is not missed when following these guidelines?
5. What about missing benign lesions such as cervical polyps through reduced speculum examinations – have the guidelines considered this?
6. If a female has never had sex, do they still need a cervical screen?
7. Are patients aged 25 who request their first test as a self-test eligible for self-collection?
8. What percentage of tests nationally are now self-collected?
9. What is the guideline for cervical screening testing in women over 70 with persisting HPV?
10. If a woman’s last test indicated HPV (not 16/18), her cytology was unsatisfactory, and she represents at 10 months – is a self-collected HPV test appropriate?
11. Can women with persistent HPV 16 or 18 be offered a LLETZ procedure instead of regular colposcopies every 12 months?
12. Case: I saw a 21-year-old with PV bleeding. Her cervical screening test indicated non-16/18 positive. Should I repeat her cervical screen in one year?
13. In that 21-year-old case, could this bleeding be chlamydia, and can we do a chlamydia test on the same sample?
14. What do you recommend for symptomatic patients who can’t tolerate a speculum exam (e.g., severe vaginismus) – is a self-collect HPV test reasonable, or should they be referred for collection under sedation?
15. If we request a “cervical screening test” on the pathology form, but the patient also requires a co-test, will the lab automatically adjust, or do we need to specify it?
16. Can you recommend any good websites or resources for more information for GPs and patients?
17. If you had to list your top two or three tips for GPs on cervical screening, what would they be?

Expert: Prof Marion Saville AM, Anatomic Pathologist

Host: Dr Terri Foran, Sexual Health Physician

Total time: 24 mins

Recommended resource:

• The Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC)
• National Cervical Screening Program | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing