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Oncology-screening

Cervical screening & HPV

5-yearly HPV primary testing under the National Cervical Screening Program.

1. Clinical overview & diagnosis

Australia's National Cervical Screening Program uses 5-yearly HPV primary testing for women and people with a cervix aged 25–74 who have ever been sexually active. Self-collection is now available to all eligible participants. This is one of the most effective screening programs globally.

Red flags for urgent referral

  • • Symptomatic patients (abnormal bleeding, postcoital bleeding) require co-testing and assessment regardless of screening status

2. Patient diagnostic pathway

  1. 1Confirm eligibility — Confirm eligibility and screening history (check the National Cancer Screening Register).
  2. 2Offer testing — Offer clinician-collected or self-collected HPV test.
  3. 3Manage result — HPV not detected — rescreen in 5 years. HPV detected (non-16/18) — reflex LBC, manage per result. HPV 16/18 detected — refer directly for colposcopy.

3. Treatment & management plan

  • • Screening is preventive, not treatment.
  • • Ensure HPV vaccination (Gardasil 9 on the NIP, 2-dose schedule at age 12–13). Vaccinated individuals still require routine screening from age 25.
  • • Medicare item numbers 73070 (clinician-collected) and 73071 (self-collected).

4. Patient pathway & referral

When & where to refer

  • • HPV 16/18 positive or abnormal cytology → colposcopy per NCSP guidelines
  • • Encourage overdue patients using Register reminders

Clinical decision support only. Not a substitute for independent clinical judgement. HerPath informs, it does not replace the treating practitioner.