What is the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP)?
The National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) aims to reduce morbidity and deaths from cervical cancer, in a cost-effective manner through an organised approach to cervical screening.
The program promotes routine screening with Pap smears every two years for women between the ages of 18 (or two years after first sexual intercourse, whichever is later) and 70 years.
The program includes: implementation and monitoring of nationally agreed screening policy; establishment of cervical screening registers in each state and territory; and development and enhancement of other quality management strategies across the screening pathway.
For a full overview of the National Cervical Screening Program go to the Australian Governments Cancer Screening website
What are the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines on the management of women without symptoms who have screen detected cervical abnormalities?
In June 2005 the NHMRC approved the Screening to Prevent Cervical Cancer: Guidelines for the Management of Asymptomatic Women with Screen Detected Abnormalities.
These guidelines replace the 1994 guidelines, which have been rescinded.
The 2005 guidelines were formulated in line with NHMRC standards for clinical practice guidelines to assist women and health professionals to achieve the best outcomes in the management of abnormal Pap smear test results.
The guidelines are based on epidemiological and scientific evidence and a new understanding of the role of HPV in cervical cancer.
View a copy of the NHMRC Guidelines
What is the Tasmanian Cervical Screening Register (TCSR)?
Cervical Screening Registers have an important role in
data collection and quality control for the National
Cervical Screening Program and provide services to Pap
smear takers, laboratories and women. In particular,
the Register:
- collects screening histories of individual women (Pap smears, biopsies and HPV tests) performed in Tasmania. Where necessary, information is also collected from other sources, e.g. other cervical screening registers and Medicare;
- provides the cytology laboratory and/or the Pap smear taker with results of previous abnormal smears so that a more detailed evaluation can be done of the present smear if necessary;
- provides a 'safety net' if women have not had follow-up of an abnormal smear;
- sends reminders to women overdue for routine screening; and
- fulfils national reporting requirements on the epidemiology and natural history of pre-cancerous lesions.
However, the Register:
- is not a substitute for a surgery's existing patient Pap smear recall system; and
- does not provide results or medical advice to patients.
The Tasmanian Cervical Screening Register (TCSR) and the Public Health Act
The Register is legislated under the Public Health Act 1997, PART 7 – Registers, Division 1 – Cervical Screening Register and Personal Information Protection Act 2004.
The Register is an 'opt-off' register. Women's details automatically go on a cervical screening register, unless they specifically ask not to be included. In this case, 'Not for Register' must be clearly stated on the pathology request form completed by Pap smear takers for cytology, cervical biopsies and HPV tests.
Contact the Register
Monday to Friday
- 13 15 56 (if calling within Tasmania)
- (03) 6166 2863 (if calling from interstate)
- cervical.screening@ths.tas.gov.au