Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Cervical Screening Guidelines: HPV Testing

Guidelines for Cervical Screening in New Zealand: Implementation of HPV testing

30 June 2009

The National Screening Unit is pleased to confirm that the commencement date for the implementation of HPV testing as part of the Guidelines for Cervical Screening in New Zealand will be 1 OCTOBER 2009.

This date has been agreed with laboratories and will enable all screening providers to be prepared for this change.
 
The revised Guidelines for Cervical Screening in New Zealand were implemented in September 2008 (http://www.cervicalscreening.govt.nz/). A major change in these guidelines included the planned introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in 2009.

As set out in the guidelines, the indications for HPV testing in the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) are:

• women 30 years and over with ASC-US or LSIL cytology
• the follow-up of women who have been treated for a high grade lesion
• post colposcopy management of women with discordant results.

Having HPV testing available nationally through the NCSP at no charge to women enables the benefits of this new technology to be accessible to all women.

A fact sheet on HPV testing for women will soon be available to assist all providers of NCSP services. 

Dr Hazel Lewis                                                 Diane Casey
Clinical Leader, NCSP                                       Programme Manager, NCSP
hazel_lewis@moh.govt.nz                               diane_casey@moh.govt.nz

The Guidelines for Cervical Screening in New Zealand: Implementation of HPV testing  is available for download.