Transitioning from cytology-based screening to HPV-based screening at longer intervals: Implications for resource use

Abstract

Background: Following a recent major review of cervical screening, from 2017 Australia will transition from two-yearly cytology-based screening to five-yearly primary HPV screening, with partial genotyping and direct referral for HPV 16/18 and LBC triage for other oncogenic types. Switching to a longer screening interval will result in transitional fluctuations for volumes of tests before a 'steady state' is reached for the new test volumes. This study aimed to quantify the impact of this transition on year-to-year volumes of screening and follow-up tests and procedures. Methods: Number of women screened and test volumes from 2015 to 2032 were estimated via a detailed simulation model which ..