National Cervical Screening Program Renewal - Frequently Asked Questions
1. What has been the effect of the current cervical screening program on cancer incidence and deaths?
2. If Australia follows international recommendations to start screening at 25 years of age, will this put young women at increased risk of developing cervical cancer?
3. Why is the age range for cervical screening being reviewed when there are still many women who are not vaccinated and are living longer?
4. Will I still need to have an internal vaginal examination, if the screening test/s changes?
5. Will I still get a letter to remind me to participate in cervical screening?
6. Why do we need a cervical screening program when many young women are being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) infections?
7. I have been vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV), do I need to participate in cervical screening?
8. I haven’t been vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV), do I need to participate in cervical screening?
9. What are the expected outcomes of the renewal and what does it mean for women?
10. Is the renewal driven by cost-cutting requirements?
11. Will I pay to participate in cervical screening?
12. What does the renewal mean for doctors, nurses and Aboriginal Healthcare Workers currently providing cervical screening services?
13. What does the renewal mean for companies with new technologies for cervical screening?
14. Will there be public consultation about the Renewal?
15. Where can I get more information about the current National Cervical Screening Program?
1. What has been the effect of the current cervical screening program on cancer incidence and deaths?
Cervical cancer is now an uncommon disease in Australia due to cervical screening. Cervical cancer rates have halved since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991 and Australia now has one of the lowest rates of cervical cancer deaths in the world. The renewal seeks to maintain or improve these outcomes.
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To date most of the gains have been associated with the prevention of squamous cell carcinoma, which used to account for approximately 85 per cent of all cervical cancers. The renewal will examine opportunities to improve cervical cancer outcomes associated with changes in the glandular cells of the cervix, as these are less easily detectable by current screening methods. Cancers arising from glandular cells now account for about 25% of cancers.
2. If Australia follows international recommendations to start screening at 25 years of age, will this put young women at increased risk of developing cervical cancer?
Regular cervical screening can prevent around 75% of all types of cervical cancers developing (and 90% of the most common squamous cancers of the cervix), but it does not prevent every case. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, which prevents about 70% of all cervical cancers, has been routinely offered to young women through a school-based program since 2007.
Australia’s current screening program was developed before HPV vaccination became available and Australia is now one of only a few countries around the world that include women below 25 years of age in national cervical screening programs.
The renewal will consider the benefit and harms of cervical screening in all age groups and including HPV vaccinated and unvaccinated women.
3. Why is the age range for cervical screening being reviewed when there are still many women who are not vaccinated and are living longer?
The renewal will consider the effectiveness of cervical screening in all age groups, including Human papillomavirus vaccinated and unvaccinated women. The renewal will assess the different types of screening tests available and their effectiveness. The interval between screening tests will be considered to ensure the program remains safe for women.
4. Will I still need to have an internal vaginal examination, if the screening test/s changes?
The most effective cervical screening tests currently available are those that require a sample of cells directly from the cervix. This means that an internal examination is necessary in order to collect the cells.
5. Will I still get a letter to remind me to participate in cervical screening?
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Women will still receive a reminder notification. The renewal will investigate the roles and functions of cervical cytology registers, including invitation and recall functions.
6. Why do we need a cervical screening program when many young women are being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) infections?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine does not protect against all cancer–causing types of HPV infection. Therefore all women, whether vaccinated or not, should be screened for cervical cancer. Information about HPV immunisation is available at www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/hpv-vaccination and www.hpvregister.org.au
7. I have been vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV), do I need to participate in cervical screening?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine does not protect against all cancer–causing types of HPV. Therefore all women, whether vaccinated or not, should be screened for cervical cancer. Information about HPV immunisation is available at www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/hpv-vaccination
8. I haven’t been vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV), do I need to participate in cervical screening?
To reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer women should participate in cervical screening. Screening detects changes in cells of the cervix that, if treated, will usually prevent further change into cancer. The renewal will make recommendations on cervical screening policy for both vaccinated and unvaccinated women.
9. What are the expected outcomes of the renewal and what does it mean for women?
It is important to review the science and technologies related to the National Cervical Screening Program to ensure that all Australian women, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, have access to a cervical screening program that is based on current evidence and best practice. This may result in a change to the current cervical screening pathway. The renewed Program aims to continue to improve health outcomes of Australian women, and to be safe, acceptable, effective and provide value for money.
10. Is the renewal driven by cost-cutting requirements?
The renewal has not been established in order to cut costs for government. There have been significant advances in the science and technologies related to cervical screening since the National Cervical Screening Program was introduced 20 years ago. The introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in 2007 will impact on the cervical screening program. It is time to review the evidence about cervical screening and renew the program so that the National Cervical Screening Program remains effective into the future and is of maximum benefit to Australian women.
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11. Will I pay to participate in cervical screening?
The National Cervical Screening Program is delivered by the primary healthcare sector and therefore relies on the national and state systems in place to deliver primary health care services, including the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The renewal will consider the out-of-pocket costs incurred by women who participate in cervical screening.
12. What does the renewal mean for doctors, nurses and Aboriginal Healthcare Workers currently providing cervical screening services?
Cervical screening providers such as doctors, nurses and Aboriginal HealthWorkers should continue to deliver cervical screening using the current cervical screening policy. There are likely to be future policy changes so it will be important to keep informed on the renewal process. Service providers will be consulted throughout the renewal to ensure their views and knowledge are considered.
13. What does the renewal mean for companies with new technologies for cervical screening?
The renewal provides an opportunity to assess cervical screening technologies which have sufficient peer-reviewed and published evidence for consideration as part of a renewed cervical screening pathway, using the Medical Services Advisory Committee processes for reviewing new items for the Medicare Benefit Schedule.
14. Will there be public consultation about the Renewal?
It is anticipated that the first public consultation will be held in late March- April 2012. The Renewal team can also be contacted at CervicalRenewal@health.gov.au
15. Where can I get more information about the current National Cervical Screening Program?
Information is available at www.cancerscreening.gov.au
Page currency, Latest update: 01 February, 2012