Quiz feedback: Cervical screening

The correct answer is that routine HPV testing is not indicated in women under 30 because of the high prevalence of HPV in this age group. However, regardless of age it may be required for the ongoing management of women who have been treated for a high-grade lesion, and for women with discordant cytology and colposcopy results. There is no indication to test all women over 30 years.

A number of respondents thought that all LBC specimens would automatically be tested for HPV. This only occurs when a woman older than 30 years is identified by the laboratory to have low grade changes in her cervical cytology.

The main advantages of moving to LBC are:

• A reduction in number of unsatisfactory smears
• Quicker lab turnaround time
• The ability to use same sample for HPV

The panel felt the main practical benefit to general practice of laboratories adopting LBC, was the ability to use the same specimen for HPV testing if required. However, it was noted that the change to LBC in itself is unlikely to reduce the incidence of or mortality from cervical cancer in New Zealand. The most important factor in the short to medium term is improving screening coverage. In the long term, vaccination against HPV infection should reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality.

The plastic spatula + cytobrush (in combination) or cervibroom (on its own) are the collection devices recommended for use with LBC. Neither the cytobrush nor plastic spatula on their own are recommended and wooden spatulas are unsuitable for use with LBC. On a practical note the panel said they tended to use just the cervibroom, since it meant only one sample had to be collected.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world with 15-20% of all young sexually active women acquiring the infection per year.

LBC is at least as sensitive as conventional cervical cytology and more sensitive for women with recurrent inflammatory smears. LBC can reduce the amount of obscuring blood and inflammation in cervical samples compared to conventional smears, however routine screening smears should still be avoided at the time of menses.

Note: Collection devices are not interchangeable between the Surepath and Thinprep systems.

There was some concern expressed at the high proportion of respondents who answered this question incorrectly. All cervical smears should contain some endocervical cells to indicate that the squamocolumnar junction has been sampled. Squamous cell carcinoma begins as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) at the squamocolumnar junction which is why it is important to sample this site to detect early changes. If a previous smear is reported as containing no endocervical cells, a cytobrush is recommended for the repeat smear.

It is important that if the cervix looks abnormal or there are abnormal symptoms, the women should be referred for colposcopy, irrespective of the cytology report. If the cervix looks abnormal due to known benign changes (eg nabothian cysts) referral for colposcopy may not be required.

Almost all respondents correctly answered that HPV testing is indicated for all women > 30 years with low grade abnormalities. This is generally initiated by the laboratory. Referral for colposcopy should be made following a positive HPV result and watchful waiting would be appropriate following a negative HPV result, with repeat HPV testing at 12 months.

HPV results will be of benefit when managing women who:

• Are 30 years and over with low grade changes
• have been treated for a high-grade lesion
• have discordant colposcopy and cervical cytology results

HPV testing will hopefully reduce the number of patients who receive unnecessary specialist referral and colposcopy. HPV testing is not indicated for women less than 30 years with low grade changes. Follow-up will depend on previous patient history.