The Department of Health has announced changes to the National Cervical Screening Program’s (NCSP’s) Clinical Guidelines pathway for women at intermediate risk.
The changes will come into effect from 1 February, following the Cancer Council Australia Clinical Guidelines Working Party review of national data from the renewed program.
In a statement, the Department said a review of the national clinical program data was undertaken for women at intermediate risk, whose follow-up test was human papillomavirus (HPV) (not-16/18) positive, liquid based cytology prediction negative, possible low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.
“Results from the review showed that these women will have a low likelihood of histologically-confirmed high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN2/3) or worse,” the Department said.
“It is now recommended that women with a 12-month follow up HPV (not-16/18) result with LBC prediction negative, pLSIL or LSIL (intermediate risk result) should be recommended to undertake a further HPV follow up test in 12 months’ time following their previous HPV test, instead of referral to colposcopy.”
The Department said some groups of women might be at higher risk of harbouring a high-grade abnormality and should be referred to a colposcopy if HPV was detected at 12 months, regardless of the LBC result.
“They include women two or more years overdue for screening at the time of the initial screen; women who identify as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and women aged 50 years or older,” it said.
Further information can be accessed at the Department’s 5-page fact sheet available at this PS News link.
