NSW Pap Test Register

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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:

  1. Contact us online
  2. Send us a fax on (02) 8374 5695
  3. Write to us at:

    NSW Pap Test Register
    Locked Bag 9014
    Alexandria NSW 1435


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