NSW Pap Test Register

Information for Women

What is the NSW Pap Test Register?

The NSW Pap Test Register is a secure and confidential database of women’s Pap tests and related follow-up test results. The Register was established by the NSW Public Health Act 1991 and commenced operation in July 1996.

The Register is key to the NSW Cervical Screening Program which aims to reduce the incidence of, and mortality from preventable cervical cancer.

The Register provides a follow-up and reminder service to encourage women to have regular Pap Tests.

The NSW Pap Test Register is operated by the Cancer Institute NSW as part of the Commonwealth and State funded NSW Cervical Screening Program.

Download our brochure: A Pap Test Every Two Years Saves Lives

How can we help?

The Register is a health safety net that can help you by:

sending you a reminder letter if you are overdue for your next Pap test;

working with your health practitioner to make sure you have had follow-up care if you have an abnormal test result;

keeping a history of your results to provide information to help both the laboratory analysing your Pap test and your health practitioner;

assisting in the gathering of information that will help improve our understanding of cervical cancer and its treatment.

How do women join the Register?

Being included on the Register is voluntary, almost 100% of all women who have a Pap test are on the Register. If you do not want your name and address to be included on the Register, tell your health practitioner at the time of your test and ask them to mark your test clearly “not for Pap Test Register”.

When you have a Pap test, cervical biopsy or HPV DNA test, your information will automatically be sent to the Register by the laboratory processing your test.

You will be sent a ‘Welcome’ letter the first time the Register receives your personal details so that you know that you have joined the Register.

What to do if you do not want to join the Register?

You can withdraw your details from the Register at any time by writing to the Register. Your name and address will then be removed. However, your date of birth and test results will remain on the Register to assist in monitoring and evaluating the Cervical Screening Program.

If you choose not to participate in the Register you will not be sent a reminder letter when you are overdue for a test. Also, your test histories will not be available to assist the laboratory in analysing any new cervical test.

What information is recorded on the Register?

Your name, address, and date of birth;

Details of the health practitioner who took the test;

The date of the test and the name of the laboratory that processed it;

The results of Pap tests, cervical histology tests or HPV DNA tests.

Please contact the Register if you wish to access any of your information recorded on the Register.

Are my results kept confidential?

Yes. The Register will ensure that all your information is only disclosed to you or:

your Health Practitioner;

the laboratory that processed the test;

ethically approved cervical cancer research projects;

in accordance with the NSW Public Health Act 1991 and the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002.

Why should I have a Pap Test?

A Pap test can detect early cell changes in the cervix long before you would notice any symptoms. Most of these changes are not cancer, but may lead to cancer later on, if they continue to progress. These changes can be monitored or treated before cancer has a chance to develop.

Who should have a Pap Test?

All women aged 18 to 69 who have ever had sex are advised to have a Pap test every two years or as recommended by your health practitioner - even if you have had the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination.

Please remember that a Pap test is a screening test, and may fail to detect abnormalities in a small number of women.

If you have symptoms, such as unusual bleeding or discharge, see your health practitioner as soon as possible, even if your last Pap test was normal.

Where can I have a Pap Test?

Please Note: The NSW Pap Test Register does not make appointments.

Most women have their Pap test taken by a general practitioner. Some women prefer to attend a community health service or a women’s health centre, where Pap tests are usually taken by specially trained Women’s Health Nurses.

To find somewhere to have your Pap test please ring the NSW Pap Test Register Information Line.

What do I do if I change my name or address?

Please inform the Register if you change your name or address so that you can receive follow-up or reminder letters when required.

To update your details on the Register:

Phone our Information Line on 1800 671 693

Post or fax this Change of Name or Address form

Send an email to nswpaptest@cancerinstitute.org.au

Write to us at:

NSW Pap Test Register
Locked Bag 9014
Alexandria NSW 1435

Sometimes the Register may update your information

To enable us to contact you when necessary the Register may check your address details with the NSW Electoral Roll and or Medicare to ensure we have the correct information – for example when letters we send you are returned.

Remember - We’re here to help

The Register operates a free call Information Line on 1800 671 693 which you can call between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday if you require further information about the Register or have any questions.

If you would like this information in your own language, please call the Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50 between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.