Use of digital pathology in analysis of cancer screening samples
Detail of outcome
Based on the evidence presented and the consultation responses, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has endorsed the use of digital pathology for histopathology as a permissive modification in the bowel cancer, breast and cervical screening programmes.
The committee was satisfied that digital pathology represents a safe optional alternative to light microscopy for commissioners and providers of diagnostic pathways in the 3 cancer screening programmes.
Feedback received
Detail of feedback received
A total of 31 stakeholders responded to the public consultation which opened on 7 August and closed on 15 September 2023.
These stakeholders were:
- Bowel Cancer UK
- Roche Diagnostics UK
- Royal College of Pathologists
- 16 consultant histopathologists
- 4 co-authors of the HTA multi-study
- 2 consultant cyto/histopathologists
- 1 retired member of the public who previously worked in the Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme
- 1 clinical director
- 1 service manager (pathology services at NHS Trust)
- 1 consultant gynaecological pathologist
- 1 consultant surgical pathologist
- 1 professor of diagnostic histopathology
None of the respondents were aware of any studies/papers contradicting the findings of the UK HTA study.
Original consultation
Consultation description
Digital pathology (DP) enables glass histopathology slides to be reviewed digitally, rather than with a microscope. A Health Technology Assessment study found DP performs as well as light microscopy in cancer screening. The study focused on breast and bowel cancer, but expert stakeholders are confident its findings are also likely to be robust for cervix histopathology. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) did not carry out a cost effectiveness exercise, so consulted stakeholders on the recommendation, based on the HTA study, to allow the use of DP in cancer screening, excluding cytology, as an alternative to light microscopy. See cover sheet, study findings and 2021 evidence review below.
Consultation outcome
Comments received from this consultation were presented to the UK NSC at its meeting on 10 November 2023 for a recommendation.
In light of the consultation responses and expert input from the UK NSC’s Adult Reference Group, the committee was satisfied that digital pathology represented a safe option for commissioners and providers of diagnostic pathways in the breast, bowel and cervical screening programmes.
Documents
Updates to this page
Last updated 28 December 2023 + show all updates
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Consultation responses published and the UK NSC supports the optional use of digital pathology in the diagnostic pathways in the breast, bowel and cervical screening programmes.
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Confirmation of UK NSC's next steps in considering consultation responses.
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First published.