Cervical screening test

HPV DNA test to detect the presence of oncogenic High Risk (HR) HPV types known to be associated with a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.

Why screen

Screening for the HR HPV types in women aged 25-75 years old enables the detection of HR types necessary for the progression of a HPV infection to cervical cancer. 

Risk based approach

The HPV test is more sensitive than conventional cytology, so it can be performed less frequently.

Routine asymptomatic women who test negative are Low Risk of developing cervical cancer and can be screened every 5 years.

Asymptomatic women who test positive will have a liquid based cytology (LBC) co-test performed on the same LBC vial. They will be assessed as either Intermediate Risk (repeat 12mths) or Higher Risk (refer to colposcopy) depending on the LBC findings.

Symptomatic women and women with a history of high-grade cervical pathology will have a co-test and risk category assigned according to HPV DNA and LBC findings.

Special circumstances

Women with special circumstances may be offered more frequent screening or a single CST prior to age 25 years.

The National Cervical Screening Program

National Cervical Screening Program

Cervical screening test audit

The National Cervical Screening Program has introduced significant changes to the way cervical screening tests (CST) are performed in Australia. Sonic Healthcare has created a CST audit to provide participating general practitioners with comparative statistical data to better understand the clinical implications of the new reporting systems, and to reflect upon possible practice improvements and learning opportunities.

Read more

Available resources

In order to help you better understand the Cervical Screening Test (CST), we have created a range of resources that are available to be downloaded using the links below. 

  1. Self-collected HPV test [pdf download]

  2. Request form [pdf download]

  3. Guide for Clinicians [pdf download]

  4. Information for Patients [pdf download]

  5. Flowcharts for 'Pathway for routine cervical screening' [pdf download] 

  6. Flowcharts for 'Transition to the renewed National Cervical Screening Program' [pdf download]

 

Extra Reading

Addressing challenges in the new cervical screening program, May 2018 [pdf download]

 

For further information about the Cervical Screening Test, please contact GynaePath on (02) 9855 6200.