I invite you to participate in the review of the NHMRC document: Screening to Prevent Cervical Cancer: Guidelines for the Management of Women with Screen Detected Abnormalities. This worthy document was developed in the early 1990's and published in 1994. In the light of evidence accumulated over recent years, it is apparent that some of these guidelines are now 'out of date', therefore it is timely to revisit this document, consider the areas which require revision and to develop improved evidence based guidelines for future management of screen detected abnormalities. We are also going to review the Terminology used in the reporting of Papanicolau Cervical Smears. This is particularly important in light of the recent publication of Bethesda 2001.

Our review is being carried out under the auspices of the National Advisory Committee to the National Cervical Screening Program. This Guidelines Review Group (GRG) has 23 members and the Review is being managed by the NSW Cervical Screening Program, which has provided the infrastructure, financial support and secretariat.

The membership is drawn from wide ranging areas of expertise all of which are important to the process of review. It is important to note that this is an external review of NHMRC guidelines and as such must follow a stringent process clearly defined by the NHMRC. At the first meeting of the GRG held in Sydney on the 26th November 2001, several working groups were established:

These groups are now considering the NHMRC document and what appears to be in need of revision. They are going to conduct much of the 'discussion' in an Internet based format. Specific questions will be developed and a search for evidence based solutions will take place. These questions will be placed on this internet site, and I invite your comment and participation in this process. Any questions we have overlooked are especially welcome!

It is hoped that ALL interested persons, in the community at large and in the health professions, will take part in this review process by visiting this page and linked sites.
I am excited to be a part of this review. I am particularly pleased to be working with such enthusiastic people in the GRG and Secretariat.

I am pleased to introduce Dr Annabelle Farnsworth, an acknowledged expert in this area, who has very kindly agreed to be Deputy Chair of the Guidelines Review Group. I am honoured to be working with such an eminent Cytopathologist and Pathologist. Together, I am confident we will move speedily and efficiently towards a successful outcome to this review process.

Dr Ian Hammond