In addition to healthcare and health economics aspects, new knowledge concerning the benefits and harms of various cervical cancer screening methods makes a reassessment of cervical cancer screening appear desirable.
- Until now, opportunistic screening that is primarily based on cytology exists in Switzerland.
- Opportunistic screening causes healthcare and health economics issues. On one hand, availability for certain vulnerable population groups is not guaranteed. On the other hand, there is a risk of oversupply for other population groups.
- There are new test methods for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (hrHPV) that are proposed for cervical cancer screening – which could be used instead of the “Pap smear” cytology assessment.
- In 2018, the USPSTF examined evidence in order to compare the benefits and harms of various cancer screening procedures – and then issued recommendations.
- In March 2018, the Swiss Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) issued new recommendations on cervical cancer screening. However, these are not supported by all gynecologists.
Documents
Invitation to submit an offer for a scoping report by 10 July 2019