Cervical screening participation rates and numbers

Published 23 June 2017

Why this indicator is important

In NSW, approximately seven in every 100,000 women each year are diagnosed with cervical cancer.[1] It is now one of the most preventable cancers, with cervical screening able to detect pre-cancerous changes that can be monitored and treated before cancer develops.

Even in women who have had the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, regular pap tests are necessary. Many of these women will have been immunised for several HPV strains. 

About this indicator

The cervical screening participation rate for women 20–69 years was 56.0% in NSW in June 2015.

The number of women 20–69 years screened for cervical cancer in NSW was 1,198,754 (2014-2015).

Biennial cervical screening participation rate for NSW women, by age group, trend, NSW, 2012– 2015

N= Number of women in the population in 2014–2015 who have not had a hysterectomy.
Notes:
1. Data source: NSW Pap Test Register (population data are sourced from SAPHaRI, Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health, and adjusted for hysterectomies).
2. Source of hysterectomy fractions: NSW Population Health Survey, 2012.
3. NSW includes de-identified tests. However, de-identified tests are excluded from local health district results as this information is not available.