4.2. Quality Improvement
CERVICAL CANCER, HPV INFECTION
This study was conducted as part of quality improvement activities. As of August 2019, cervical screening was one of the core items collected from consenting medical practices by Primary Health Networks as part of the Practice Incentive Programs Quality Improvement Incentive [Other public health measures also contribute to lowering the incidence of cervical cancer, including routine HPV vaccination. HPV vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program through school-based programs for children aged 12–13, with ACCHOs providing access to HPV vaccination for adolescents who had not received vaccination in school programs. There is already evidence that HPV vaccination has reduced the incidence of HPV infection, a precursor of cervical cancer, among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Elimination or massive reduction in cervical cancer prevalence may be possible through a combination of HPV vaccination programs, improved delivery of screening programs, as well as improved treatment [