Changes to Cervical Screening

Information for Doctors

A risk-based approach

The CST uses an HPV DNA test to detect the presence of oncogenic HPV types known to be associated with a higher risk of developing significant cervical abnormalities. The HPV test is more sensitive than cytology, so it can be performed less frequently.

• Asymptomatic women who test negative for oncogenic HPV are at low risk of developing cervical cancer and only need to be screened every 5 years.
• Asymptomatic women who test positive for oncogenic HPV will have a liquid-based cytology (LBC) test performed on the same sample (reflex LBC) and will be assessed as either intermediate risk and advised to return for further testing in 12 months, or higher risk and referred for colposcopy.
• Symptomatic women and those with a history of high-grade cervical pathology will have both an HPV and LBC test (Co-test) performed, regardless of their HPV result.
• Women with special circumstances identified by the program may be offered more frequent screening or a single screening test prior to age 25.

Available resources

In order to help you prepare for the changes on December 1, 2017, we have created a range of resources which are available to be downloaded using the links below.

Guide for Clinicians

Collection Guide

Flowcharts for 'Transition to the renewed National Cervical Screening Program' & 'Test of Cure (ToC)'

Flowcharts for 'Pathway for routine cervical screening' & 'Investigation of women with abnormal vaginal bleeding'

Self Collect Procedure

Information for Patients

Resource Order Form

Request Form

Contact us

For further information on the new program, please contact GynaePath on (02) 9855 6200.