The National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer in a cost-effective manner through an organised approach to screening.
Currently, the NCSP promotes routine screening with a Pap test every two years for women aged 18 to 69 years. On 1 December 2017, the NCSP will be moving to a five yearly human papillomavirus (HPV) test for woman aged 25 to 74 years. Information on the current program and the ‘Renewal’ of the NCSP are available at: National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP).
The Australian Department of Health and NPS MedicineWise have developed six online modules which are available here: www.learn.nps.org.au .
The modules are accredited for CPD points with RACGP, ACRRM, ACN, ACM and APNA and cover the following areas:
1: Cervical cancer
2: Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program
3: Communicating the importance of screening
4: Screening in practice
5: Understanding the cervical screening clinical pathway
6: Communicating test results and patient management
The Cancer Council Australia has the following resources available:
EMPHN will be also be running two education sessions for GPs and practice nurses presented by Dr Stella Heley, Sexual Health Physician and Director of Education and Liaison Services, Victorian Cytology Service: