Cervical Cancer Screening Programmes

Cervical Screening Programmes aim to reduce the risk of cervical cancer through the detection and treatment of precancerous changes of the cervix. Organised population based programmes have proven effective with high levels of coverage, access to high quality screening tests and diagnostic and treatment services for those who screen positive.

Traditionally programmes were based on the detection of cytological abnormalities first described by George Papanicolau. The link between HPV infection and Cervical precancer and cancer reported by Harold Zur Hausen has provided an opportunity to incorporate HPV testing into cervical screening programmes. HPV testing has better sensitivity and can detect more cases of precancer has the disadvantage of identifying more women with low risk changes of a transient infection. A secondary test (Triage) can offset this and improve the. selection. In most programmes this secondary test is cytology. The negative predictive value of HPV testing has the potential of extending the intervals between tests in the future, particularly for the cohort of women who have been vaccinated against HPV.