NCCSA EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
RECENTLY UPDATED
300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP)? The NCSP is
Australia's population-based screening program designed to reduce cervical
cancer incidence and mortality through regular screening of eligible women and
people with a cervix.
2. When did the renewed NCSP commence? The renewed NCSP commenced
on 1 December 2017.
3. What is the recommended screening interval for routine cervical
screening? Every 5 years for women aged 25-74 years.
4. At what age should cervical screening begin? Screening should begin at
age 25 years.
5. At what age can cervical screening cease? If the person has had an
adequate screening history, screening can cease at age 74.
6. What is the primary test used in the NCSP? The Cervical Screening Test
(CST) is an HPV DNA test.
7. What replaced the Pap smear in the renewed program? The Cervical
Screening Test (CST) replaced the conventional Pap smear.
8. How often should women aged 25-74 have cervical screening? Every 5
years, unless clinical circumstances indicate otherwise.
9. What is the target population for cervical screening? Women and people
with a cervix aged 25-74 years who have ever been sexually active.
10. What is considered adequate screening history for cessation at age 74?
Two consecutive negative HPV tests within the previous 10 years, with the
most recent test within the last 5 years.
11. What should happen if a woman has never been screened and is over
50? She should have two consecutive negative tests 12 months apart before
moving to 5-yearly screening.
,12. What is the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR)? A national
register that records cervical screening test results and manages invitations and
reminders for eligible participants.
13. Who is responsible for following up abnormal screening results? The
healthcare provider who ordered the test is responsible for follow-up.
14. What is the role of the NCSR in follow-up? The NCSR sends safety-net
letters if no follow-up activity is recorded within specified timeframes.
15. Can women opt out of the NCSR? Yes, women can opt out of receiving
invitations and reminders, but their test results will still be recorded.
16. What age group had screening intervals changed most significantly in
the renewed program? Women aged 25-29 years, who previously had 2-yearly
screening, now have 5-yearly screening.
17. Why was the screening age changed from 18 to 25? Because cervical
cancer is rare under age 25, and screening in younger women may lead to
overtreatment of transient HPV infections.
18. What is the estimated reduction in cervical cancer incidence with the
renewed program? Approximately 15% reduction compared to the previous
program.
19. What happens if a woman presents with symptoms? Symptomatic
women should have appropriate investigations regardless of screening history -
screening tests are for asymptomatic women.
20. What is considered the most significant risk factor for cervical cancer?
Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types.
21. What is the sensitivity of HPV testing compared to cytology? HPV
testing has higher sensitivity (approximately 95%) compared to cytology
(approximately 55%).
22. Why is the screening interval longer with HPV testing? Because HPV
testing has higher sensitivity and identifies precancerous changes earlier,
allowing for longer intervals while maintaining effectiveness.
23. What is the positive predictive value of HPV testing? The positive
predictive value varies by age and population, but is generally higher in older
women.
, 24. What percentage of cervical cancers are preventable through
screening? Approximately 90% of cervical cancers are preventable through
regular screening and appropriate follow-up.
25. What is the estimated participation rate target for the NCSP? The target
participation rate is 77% of the eligible population.
26. What happens to screening if a woman has had a hysterectomy?
Screening is generally not required after total hysterectomy unless there was a
history of high-grade abnormalities or the hysterectomy was incomplete.
27. When should screening resume after pregnancy? Screening can resume
12 weeks after delivery or pregnancy termination.
28. What is the recommended approach for immunocompromised women?
They may require more frequent screening - typically annual or 2-yearly
depending on the degree of immunosuppression.
29. What is the role of HPV vaccination in screening? HPV vaccination
reduces the risk of cervical abnormalities, but vaccinated women still require
regular screening as vaccination doesn't protect against all cancer-causing HPV
types.
30. How does previous abnormal cytology affect current screening
recommendations? Women with previous high-grade abnormalities may
require more intensive surveillance or earlier screening start.
31. What is triage testing in cervical screening? Additional testing performed
on HPV-positive samples to determine which women need immediate referral
for colposcopy.
32. What is liquid-based cytology (LBC)? A method of cytology preparation
where cells are collected in liquid medium, allowing for both cytology and HPV
testing from the same sample.
33. What is the workflow for a typical cervical screening test? Sample
collection → HPV testing → If HPV positive, reflex to cytology →
Management based on combined results.
34. What quality assurance measures exist in the NCSP? Laboratory
accreditation, proficiency testing, slide review programs, and outcome
monitoring through the NCSR.
35. What training is required for healthcare providers taking cervical
samples? Providers must complete appropriate training and maintain
competency in sample collection techniques.
RECENTLY UPDATED
300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP)? The NCSP is
Australia's population-based screening program designed to reduce cervical
cancer incidence and mortality through regular screening of eligible women and
people with a cervix.
2. When did the renewed NCSP commence? The renewed NCSP commenced
on 1 December 2017.
3. What is the recommended screening interval for routine cervical
screening? Every 5 years for women aged 25-74 years.
4. At what age should cervical screening begin? Screening should begin at
age 25 years.
5. At what age can cervical screening cease? If the person has had an
adequate screening history, screening can cease at age 74.
6. What is the primary test used in the NCSP? The Cervical Screening Test
(CST) is an HPV DNA test.
7. What replaced the Pap smear in the renewed program? The Cervical
Screening Test (CST) replaced the conventional Pap smear.
8. How often should women aged 25-74 have cervical screening? Every 5
years, unless clinical circumstances indicate otherwise.
9. What is the target population for cervical screening? Women and people
with a cervix aged 25-74 years who have ever been sexually active.
10. What is considered adequate screening history for cessation at age 74?
Two consecutive negative HPV tests within the previous 10 years, with the
most recent test within the last 5 years.
11. What should happen if a woman has never been screened and is over
50? She should have two consecutive negative tests 12 months apart before
moving to 5-yearly screening.
,12. What is the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR)? A national
register that records cervical screening test results and manages invitations and
reminders for eligible participants.
13. Who is responsible for following up abnormal screening results? The
healthcare provider who ordered the test is responsible for follow-up.
14. What is the role of the NCSR in follow-up? The NCSR sends safety-net
letters if no follow-up activity is recorded within specified timeframes.
15. Can women opt out of the NCSR? Yes, women can opt out of receiving
invitations and reminders, but their test results will still be recorded.
16. What age group had screening intervals changed most significantly in
the renewed program? Women aged 25-29 years, who previously had 2-yearly
screening, now have 5-yearly screening.
17. Why was the screening age changed from 18 to 25? Because cervical
cancer is rare under age 25, and screening in younger women may lead to
overtreatment of transient HPV infections.
18. What is the estimated reduction in cervical cancer incidence with the
renewed program? Approximately 15% reduction compared to the previous
program.
19. What happens if a woman presents with symptoms? Symptomatic
women should have appropriate investigations regardless of screening history -
screening tests are for asymptomatic women.
20. What is considered the most significant risk factor for cervical cancer?
Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types.
21. What is the sensitivity of HPV testing compared to cytology? HPV
testing has higher sensitivity (approximately 95%) compared to cytology
(approximately 55%).
22. Why is the screening interval longer with HPV testing? Because HPV
testing has higher sensitivity and identifies precancerous changes earlier,
allowing for longer intervals while maintaining effectiveness.
23. What is the positive predictive value of HPV testing? The positive
predictive value varies by age and population, but is generally higher in older
women.
, 24. What percentage of cervical cancers are preventable through
screening? Approximately 90% of cervical cancers are preventable through
regular screening and appropriate follow-up.
25. What is the estimated participation rate target for the NCSP? The target
participation rate is 77% of the eligible population.
26. What happens to screening if a woman has had a hysterectomy?
Screening is generally not required after total hysterectomy unless there was a
history of high-grade abnormalities or the hysterectomy was incomplete.
27. When should screening resume after pregnancy? Screening can resume
12 weeks after delivery or pregnancy termination.
28. What is the recommended approach for immunocompromised women?
They may require more frequent screening - typically annual or 2-yearly
depending on the degree of immunosuppression.
29. What is the role of HPV vaccination in screening? HPV vaccination
reduces the risk of cervical abnormalities, but vaccinated women still require
regular screening as vaccination doesn't protect against all cancer-causing HPV
types.
30. How does previous abnormal cytology affect current screening
recommendations? Women with previous high-grade abnormalities may
require more intensive surveillance or earlier screening start.
31. What is triage testing in cervical screening? Additional testing performed
on HPV-positive samples to determine which women need immediate referral
for colposcopy.
32. What is liquid-based cytology (LBC)? A method of cytology preparation
where cells are collected in liquid medium, allowing for both cytology and HPV
testing from the same sample.
33. What is the workflow for a typical cervical screening test? Sample
collection → HPV testing → If HPV positive, reflex to cytology →
Management based on combined results.
34. What quality assurance measures exist in the NCSP? Laboratory
accreditation, proficiency testing, slide review programs, and outcome
monitoring through the NCSR.
35. What training is required for healthcare providers taking cervical
samples? Providers must complete appropriate training and maintain
competency in sample collection techniques.
