Australian women will no longer have to endure pap smears every two years to prevent cervical cancer.
The federal government has revamped screening procedures.
From Friday, women aged 25 to 69 will be screened for human papillomavirus every five years.
Health experts believe the new regime will be more accurate and help pick up cervical cancer earlier than pap smears.
They also predict the changes will lead to an overall drop in the need for women with pre-cancerous abnormalities to undergo surgery,
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"Instead of just identifying when you have cervical cancer, the pre-cancerous stage can be identified," Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
Labor's health spokeswoman Catherine King has criticised the government's rollout of the program and lack of proper communication during the transition.
CERVICAL CANCER FACTS:
* Cervical cancer death rates in Australia have halved since the national cervical screening program began in 1991.
* In 2014, there were 223 deaths.
* There were 813 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Australia in 2013.
* HPV is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer.
* An HPV vaccine is given to teenagers.
* Symptoms of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding between periods, menstrual bleeding that is longer or heavier than usual, bleeding after intercourse, pain during intercourse, leg pain or swelling and low back pain.
(Source: Cancer Council)
