The Cervical screening program commenced in the ACT in the mid 1990s. The program set up a register as part of the National Screening Program.
The Program's policy aims to target women who have been sexually active in any stage of their lives to have a Pap smear every two years until the age of 70 years.
In this section:
Our activities
The Program seeks to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer by:
- maximising participation by eligible women in routine 2 yearly screening;
- encouraging practitioners to collect cervical smears containing adequate samples of cervical cells;
- instituting a uniform and reliable reporting system;
- developing appropriate evaluation and management protocols for women with screen-detected abnormalities; and
- promoting effective treatment and follow-up for women with screen-detected abnormalities.
Reminders
The cervical screening program provides reminders for women who do not otherwise attend for rescreening, and providing a back-up service encouraging women with significantly abnormal smears to be followed up. This work is facilitated by the Cervical Cytology Register.
The ACT Program is part of a National Screening Program involving the Federal Government and all States and Territory Governments. The aim of the Program is to reduce the incidence of Cervical Cancer by promoting in the population by encouraging Pap testing every two years for all women. The central aim of the Program continues to be one of the increasing rates of cervical screening by targeting women who do not screen at all and those who do not screen every two years.
The ACT Program will continue its excellent work in reducing the morbidity and mortality rate of women from cervical cancer. Activities targeting hard to reach groups of women should see a higher participation rate in the Program. Higher participation leads to less death from this preventable disease.
Contact us
Contact the ACT Cervical Cytology Register on (02) 6205 1545.
