Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program’s guidelines for the clinical management of women at intermediate risk of cervical cancer come into effect on 1 February 2021.
A review of the national clinical program data shows that women at intermediate risk whose follow-up test is HPV (not-16/18) positive, liquid based cytology prediction negative, possible or low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion will have a low likelihood of histologically-confirmed high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN2/3) or worse.
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.
Some groups of women may be at higher risk of a high-grade abnormality and should be referred to colposcopy if HPV is detected at 12 months, regardless of the LBC result. These include:
- Women two or more years overdue for screening at the time of the initial screen
- Women who identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Women aged 50 years or older
For more information on the changes, visit the Department of Health.
Visit HealthPathways for more information on Cervical Screening.
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