Print this pageNSW Cervical Screening Program
Cancer of the cervix is one of the most preventable of all cancers. Pap tests pick up early warning signs that can be treated before cancer develops. If you are between the ages of 18-70 years and have ever had sexual intercourse you need to have a Pap test every two years. Between 1972 -2003 incidence rate of cervical cancer in NSW decreased by 58% and mortality rates decreased by 67%.
The NSW Cervical Screening Program is a jointly funded Commonwealth/State and Territory initiative managed by the Cancer Institute NSW.
The goal of the NSW Cervical Screening Program is to achieve optimal reductions in the incidence of, and mortality and morbidity attributed to, cervical cancer, at an acceptable cost to the community
The aims of the Program are to:
- Develop and implement strategies to recruit all women in the target groups to undergo regular two yearly Pap tests, including providing appropriate information and ensuring access to appropriate services.
- Support General Practitioner structures and activities to facilitate their primary role in developing acceptable Pap test services to women.
- Work with laboratories to optimise their role in cervical screening.
- Promote best clinical practice in cervical screening.
- Undertake on-going operations-oriented research, monitoring and evaluation to support and guide the directions of the Program.
The introduction in September 2006 of the HPV vaccine on the private pharmaceutical market, does not impact on the need for women (20-69 years) to have a Pap test every two years.
For more information on the NSW Cervical Screening Program visit http://www.csp.nsw.gov.au
