Applications

1664 – Improvements to the National Cervical Screening Program Self-Collection Policy

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type -
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome Supported

Application details

Reason for application

On behalf of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP), the Department of Health (the Department) is undertaking a review of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) Self-Collection Policy. 

In 2017, the option to participate in the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) by providing self-collected samples was included in the NCSP Renewal (MSAC Application 1276) to encourage participation by women who are over 30 and who have never participated or who are under-screened. This review will continue to allow the 2017 NCSP Renewal to achieve its full objectives of reducing morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer, using current and effective screening options. The proposed changes are supported by recent evidence, expert advice and consultation with the NCSP sector. The changes will not affect the primary HPV test, target population or screening interval of the NCSP. Rather, give eligible people a choice in screening method. In addition, it has the potential to increase participation from those most at risk of developing cervical cancer (the under and never-screened). The Department has convened a Self-Collection Expert Advisory Group to guide this review, and to provide advice on policy, implementation and consultation. It comprises cervical screening experts in the fields of gynaecology, pathology, epidemiology, primary healthcare, remote women’s health education, Indigenous health and clinical psychology. The group has recommended that the self-collection policy be changed to offer all eligible individuals a choice to screen using either a self-collected vaginal sample, or a clinician-collected cervical sample, accessed through a healthcare provider in both cases.

Service or technology in this application

The aim of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) is to ensure that all Australian women have access to a cervical screening program that is acceptable, effective, efficient and based on current evidence.

Type: Investigative

Medical condition this application addresses

The NCSP is a secondary prevention strategy which aims to detect pre-cancerous lesions before progression to cervical cancer.

Previous applications

1276 – National Cervical Screening Program renewal

Application documents

Public summary document

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Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: N/A
  • ESC meeting: 11 to 12 February 2021
  • MSAC meeting: 31 March to 1 April 2021