Examining the information needed for acceptance of deintensified screening programmes: qualitative focus groups about cervical screening in Australia

OBJECTIVES: Given the changing understanding of overdiagnosis of screen detected cancers and advances in technology to detect and prevent cancer, updating and scaling back cancer screening programmes is becoming increasingly necessary. The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) in Australia was recently deintensified, with the changes implemented in December 2017. This study examines women’s understanding and acceptance of the renewed screening protocol and how such changes can be communicated more effectively. DESIGN: Focus groups structured around a presentation of information about the renewed NCSP, with discussions of the information facilitated throughout. Qualitative data analysis was conducted. SETTING: Australia PARTICIPANTS: Six focus groups were conducted in November 2017 with a community sample of 49 women aged 18–74. RESULTS: Women demonstrated little or no awareness of the upcoming screening changes in the period just before they occurred. Women expressed most concern and fear that the increased screening interval (from 2 to 5 years) and later age of first screening (from age 18 to 25 years) could lead to missing cancers. Concerns about exit testing were less common. Understanding of the natural history and the prevalence of both human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, and the nature of the new test (catching it ‘earlier’) was key to alleviate concerns about the increased screening interval. CONCLUSIONS: Deintensifying screening programmes should be accompanied by clear and coherent communication of the changes, including the rationale behind them, to limit concerns from the public and facilitate acceptance of renewed programmes. In this case, understanding the biology of cervical cancer was crucial.