In May 2017, the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) will change from 2-yearly cervical cytology testing to 5-yearly HPV testing for women aged 25–74. HPV testing every 5 years is more effective, just as safe and is expected to result in a greater than 20% reduction in incidence and mortality from cervical cancer in Australian women, compared with the program it replaces, which is based on two yearly Pap smears. As a result, the 2005 guidelines for the management of screen detected abnormalities have been reviewed and updated to incorporate evidence relevant to primary HPV testing and liquid-based cytology triage.

The new guidelines will address the current epidemiology of cervical cancer in Australia, the benefits and harms of cervical screening, the natural history of cervical HPV infection, the terminology for HPV testing, liquid-based cytology, cervical histology and colposcopy, management of older women and those undergoing exit testing, management of women with positive HPV test results, colposcopy, management of histologically confirmed squamous and glandular abnormalities, women in special circumstances, women who are transitioning from the old into the new program, psychosocial and economic issues. For the first time, guidance regarding the management of symptomatic women has been included, with a particular focus on those with signs or symptoms suggestive of cervical cancer or its precursor lesions.

Integral to the success of the NCSP will be the Quality Framework developed by the Quality and Safety Monitoring Committee which is charged with ensuring quality assurance of all aspects of the program, including colposcopy.