National Cervical Screening Program: Guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities, screening in specific populations and investigation of abnormal vaginal bleeding

Cite this guideline

Cancer Council Australia Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Working Party. National Cervical Screening Program: Guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities, screening in specific populations and investigation of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Sydney: Cancer Council Australia. [Version URL: https://wiki.cancer.org.au/australiawiki/index.php?oldid=215735, cited 2023 Mar 30]. Available from: https://wiki.cancer.org.au/australia/Guidelines:Cervical_cancer/Screening.

Cancer Council Australia has been contracted by the Australian Department of Health to perform an update to these guidelines to support the planned policy change to provide universal access to self-collection. This update is currently open for public consultation until 5 December 2021. To provide feedback please contact laura.sergeant@nswcc.org.au to receive the consultation document.

Two sections of the guideline, HPV oncogenic types not 16/18 and Self-collected vaginal samples have been reviewed and updated. Updated guidance came into effect on 1 February 2021.

For further information, see: Review of National Cervical Screening Program data and partial update.
To be notified about the launch of updated guideline content, contact guidelines(at)cancer.org.au.

Endorsed by

Clinical management guidelines for the prevention of cervical cancer

3. Terminology

• HPV testing terminology

• Cytology and AMBS 2004 terminology for reporting cervical cytology

• Preparation of cervical screening reports

• Colposcopy

• Histopathology

• Supplement. Sample reports

6. Management of oncogenic HPV test results

• Medical Services Advisory Committee recommendations for HPV testing

• Oncogenic HPV types not detected

• Oncogenic HPV types 16 and/or 18

• HPV oncogenic types not 16/18

• Self-collected vaginal samples

• Women undergoing exit testing

• Screening in women older than 75

• Discussion

7. Colposcopy

• Colposcopy terminology

• Principles of practice

• History, examination and investigation

• Treatment

• Colposcopy data for the National Cancer Screening Register

• Quality improvement in colposcopy

• Supplement. Colposcopy information for discussion with patient

• Supplement. Colposcopy technologies and documentation

8. Management of discordant colposcopic impression, histopathology and referral LBC prediction

• Normal colposcopic findings following LBC prediction of LSIL or HSIL

• Type 3 TZ (unsatisfactory) colposcopy following LBC prediction of LSIL or HSIL

• Discussion

10. Management of histologically confirmed high-grade squamous abnormalities

• Diagnosis of HSIL

• Treatment of HSIL

• Test of Cure after treatment for HSIL (CIN2/3)

• Discussion

11. Management of glandular abnormalities

• Investigation of cytological glandular abnormalities

• Follow-up after excisional treatment for AIS

• Discussion

18. Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer

• Identification and investigation of abnormal bleeding
• Investigations of other symptoms – vaginal discharge and deep dyspareunia

Appendices

• A. Modelled evaluation of the predicted benefits, harms and cost-effectiveness of the renewed National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) in conjunction with these guideline recommendations
• B. Guidelines development process
• C. Clinical question list
• D. Technical report
• E. & F. Working party members and contributors
• G. Conflict of interest register
• H. Safety monitoring of the Renewed cervical screening program
• I. Glossary (terms and abbreviations)

Please see the Australian Department of Health Cancer Screening website for information about the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) and policies on transitioning women to the renewed NCSP.

Resources

Cervical cancer screening online education modules (e-learning)

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National Cervical Screening Program

A joint program of the Australian, state and territory governments. It aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer, in a cost-effective manner through an organised approach to cervical screening. The program encourages women in the target population to have regular Pap smears.