The importance of quality assurance in colposcopy in the elimination of cervical cancer: A position paper by the European Federation for Colposcopy

Background The elimination of cervical cancer has been identified by the World Health Organisation as an achievable goal worldwide. An important component of cervical cancer prevention is the successful diagnosis and treatment of precancerous lesions with colposcopy in women with positive cervical screening tests. Colposcopy services should be of a high-quality with well trained staff delivering appropriate care using agreed clinical management protocols. Poor-quality services are associated with increased risk of both undertreatment and overtreatment for women which can significantly impair the reduction of cervical cancer in screened women. Organisational systems should be in place to ensure access to skilled colposcopy services where practice can be reviewed, measured and compared to improve performance. Aims The current review provides guidance on how quality assurance for colposcopy services can be provided. Results The Quality and Standards Group of the European Federation for Colposcopy and Cervical Cancer Prevention comprised of senior colposcopists who reviewed the progress of quality assurance processes to date throughout Europe. There was considerable variation in the implementation of quality assurance programmes between countries and insight has been provided into how such variations can be rectified by implementation of best practice in colposcopy. Conclusion A roadmap is described to implement the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and reduce the inequalities of colposcopy services to establish equity of access to quality diagnosis and treatment across Europe.