The renewed National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) will use 5-yearly oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and partial genotyping with reflex liquid-based cytology. There is overwhelming evidence from prospective randomised trials that primary HPV screening is vastly superior to cytology testing alone.1,2 The renewal is based on recommendations of the Australian Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) following a robust and transparent process involving a commissioned evidence review and health outcome and economic modelling.3
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- 1. Ronco G, Dillner J, Elfström KM, et al. Efficacy of HPV-based screening for prevention of cervical cancer: follow-up of four European randomised controlled trials. Lancet 2014; 383: 524-532.
- 2. Isdean SD, Mayrand MH, Ramanakumar AV, et al. Human papillomavirus testing versus cytology in primary cervical cancer screening: end-of-study and extended follow-up results from the Canadian cervical cancer screening trial. Int J Cancer 2016; 139: 2456-2466.
- 3. Medical Services Advisory Committee. MSAC outcomes. Application no. 1276 — Renewal of the National Cervical Screening Program. Canberra: MSAC; 2014. http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/D924E2F768B13C4BCA25801000123B9E/$File/1276%20-%20Final%20MSAC%20PSD%20-%20NCSP%20Renewal.pdf (accessed Aug 2016).
- 4. Carter J. The renewal of the National Cervical Screening Program. Med J Aust 2016; 205: 357-358. <MJA full text>
- 5. Lew JB, Simms K, Smith M, et al. National Cervical Screening Program renewal: effectiveness modelling and economic evaluation in the Australian setting (assessment report). MSAC application no. 1276. April 2014. Canberra: MSAC; 2014.
- 6. Arbyn M, Verdoodt F, Snijders P, et al. Accuracy of human papillomavirus testing on self-collected versus clinician-collected samples: a meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol 2014; 15: 172-183.
- 7. Dijkstra MG, van Zummeren M, Rozendaal L, et al. Safety of extending screening intervals beyond five years in cervical cancer screening programmes with testing for high risk human papillomavirus: 14 year follow-up of population based randomised cohort in the Netherlands. BMJ 2016; 355: i4924.
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