New technology has the potential to enhance existing national screening programmes.
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recently held an online roundtable engagement day with organisations developing novel cervical screening tests or other equipment.
We met with 10 organisations to discuss their emerging, novel developments relevant to cervical screening tests. The mix of ideas reflected both tests and other equipment, including early-stage technologies that may shape future screening pathways. Many thanks to all the organisations that took the time to meet us and share their work.
During the introductory session to the day, we highlighted that screening is a pathway, not just a test. Proposals for new tests must clearly explain where the test would fit in the cervical screening pathway and how it compares with current tests. They need to explain what validation work has been carried out, including analytic validity, clinical validity, clinical utility, and performance in the population the test is intended for (the defined NHS screening population).
The UK NSC open call for topics accepts proposals for new screening tests in certain circumstances. These include if tests target conditions not currently screened for, tests that detect additional conditions or a new range of severity (such as milder disease), and technologies that represent a significant change from what a screening programme currently uses.
Applications for the next open call will be accepted between 1 July and 30 September 2026.
Roundtable engagement events are a valuable part of the UK NSC’s horizon scanning function, helping the committee maintain awareness of any emerging or unpublished technologies that may one day become relevant to screening policy.
We aim to run further themed engagement events as part of our structured horizon scanning activities and will publicise them via the UK NSC Blog.
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seen at 10:39, 2 March in UK National Screening Committee.