On December 1, 2017, the Cervical Screening Test (CST) replaced the PAP test.
The CST is the only Medicare-funded routine cervical screening test, and is available to all women aged over 25.
Specimens need to be collected by clinicians into ThinPrep® vials.
Request forms must specify the requested test, PLUS the reason for test, PLUS supporting clinical notes.
A risk-based approach
The CST uses an HPV DNA test to detect the presence of oncogenic HPV types known to be associated with a higher risk of developing significant cervical abnormalities.
The HPV test is more sensitive than cytology, so it can be performed less frequently. The testing interval is now 5 years, not 2.
