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.
It is a key part of the NSW Cervical
Screening Program, which aims to reduce the incidence of,
and mortality from, preventable cervical cancer.
The register acts as a safety net to remind women and their
health practitioner when a cervical test is overdue and the Cancer
Institute NSW can ensure that women who return an abnormal test
result receive the necessary follow-up care.
It also provides greater efficiency with the analysis of results
and assists us in further understanding cervical cancer and the
best possible treatment methods.
The NSW Pap Test Register is operated by the Cancer Institute
NSW as part of the Commonwealth and State funded NSW Cervical
Screening Program.
What information is on the register?
Information recorded on the register can include:
- woman's 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.
In accordance with the NSW Public Health Act 1991 and
the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002,
this information is strictly confidential and is
only made available to the woman or:
- her health practitioner
- the laboratory that processed the test
- ethically approved cervical cancer research projects.
How is information gathered and used?
The Register helps women by:
- sending a reminder letter for overdue Pap tests
- working with health practitioners to make sure their patients
have had follow-up care if they have an abnormal test result
- keeping a history of test results to provide information to
help both the laboratory analysing the Pap tests and health
practitioners
- assisting in the gathering of information that will help
improve our understanding of cervical cancer and its
treatment.
When women have a Pap test, cervical biopsy or HPV DNA test, the
information will automatically be sent to the Register by the
laboratory processing your test.
Women will be sent a welcome letter the first time the Register
receives their details to confirm they have joined the
Register.
Inclusion on the registry
Almost 100 per cent of all women who have a Pap test are on the
Register, however, being included on the Register is
voluntary.
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'.
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.
If at any time you wish to be removed from the program, you can
withdraw your details from the Register 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.
Health practitioners
We can provide details of a woman's Pap test and follow-up test
history to assist in her care.
If you would like to access details of one of your patient's
test histories then contact the Information Line
on 1800 671 693 (toll free) or (02) 8374 5692.
Previous test details can be provided by return phone call or in
writing.
The Register can also support your reminder service by providing
a list of a health practitioner's patients who are overdue for a
Pap test. This list is provided on disk.
To obtain a list, please download the request form below or
contact the information Line on 1800 671 693.
Download the
PTR data request form
We also provide pathology laboratories with details of a woman's
previous Pap test results and cervical histology history
(regardless of previous pathology laboratory) to assist in the
interpretation of her current test. This process also assists our
quality control.
Statistical services:
- We collate and report de-identified statistical data to assist
in planning services and improving the understanding of cervical
abnormalities.
- We can supply de-identified cervical screening data to research
projects subject to the approval of the appropriate ethics
committee. Researchers must submit a data request. Please visit the
NSW Cervical
Screening Program website for information on submitting data
requests.
- We also prepare a statistical report [insert
link to report] with the NSW Cervical Screening
Program
- Other statistical reports are produced for NSW Department of
Health and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to
assist in the National Cervical Screening Program.
Contact the Register
Information Line on 1800 671
693 (free call within NSW)
Call (02) 8374 5692 (9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday) if
you require further information about the Register
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.
Otherwise you can:
- Contact us online
- Send us a fax on (02) 8374 5695
- Write to us at:
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NSW Pap Test Register
Locked Bag 9014
Alexandria NSW 1435
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