Encouragement for the Health Minister as he looks into possible changes to the cervical cancer screening programme

Shane Reti says he's interested in appropriate expansion of the recently implemented HPV testing programme, but will need further advice before any expansion.

Most women make a co-payments to their GP or primary healthcare provider, which ranges from 40 to 100 dollars.

Victoria University's Centre for Women's Health Research director Bev Lawton says we need to have free screening.

She says that needs to be part of a well structured plan because we have every opportunity with the tools at hand, to make a good elimination effort.