Overview

Since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991, deaths from cervical cancer have been declining by 5.7% each year, and between 1997 and 2006 the incidence and mortality rates due to cervical cancer in NSW decreased by about 40%.

Pap test is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. This means that women are tested regularly to check for changes in the cells of the cervix. If changes are found, they can be monitored, and if needed further investigated and treated well before cancer develops.

The National Cervical Screening Program provides guidelines on which women need screening and how often Pap tests should be performed. It states:

• Routine screening with Pap smears should be carried out every two years for women who have no symptoms or history suggestive of cervical pathology.
• All women who have ever been sexually active should start having Pap smears between the ages of 18 and 20 years, or one or two years after first having sexual intercourse, whichever is later.
• Pap smears may cease at the age of 70 years for women who have had two normal Pap smears within the last five years. Women over 70 years who have never had a Pap smear, or who request a Pap smear, should be screened.

These guidelines apply to women with no symptoms and a normal Pap smear result. Women with abnormal smear results should be managed in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council: Screening to Prevent Cervical Cancer: Guidelines for the Management of Asymptomatic Women with Screen-detected Abnormalities.

CSGPN is committed to supporting general practices in increasing the rate of cervical screening in our area. Our Cervical Screening Project, funded by Cancer Institute NSW, aims to promote awareness among women in our community of the importance of having regular Pap tests improve the availability of Pap test services available through general practice (particularly though practice nurses) improve patient access to women’s health clinics and referral services.

The NSW Cervical Screening Program is a jointly funded Commonwealth/State and Territory initiative managed by the Cancer Institute NSW. The goal of the NSW Cervical Screening Program is to achieve optimal reductions in the incidence of and mortality attributed to cervical cancer at an acceptable cost to the community. For more information, visit their website by clicking here - NSW Cervical Screening Program.

The aim of CSGPN is to increase the participation rate for cervical screening by working with GPs, Community Groups and carrying out mass media campaigns in addition to GPs and Practice Nurses being trained in undertaking satisfactory Pap Smears.

Recall and Reminder Systems

CSGPN can assist GPs and their practice staff by implementing an effective recall and reminder system using the software in their practice.

Alternately, the GPs could request the NSW Pap Test register to obtain the list of patients who are overdue for a Pap test. To download the application form, click on Pap Test Register Data Request form or call 1800671693 to obtain a copy. Complete and fax it to the number shown on the form. The list will be provided on a CD with a password.

Upskilling for GPs and Practice Nurses

Family planning NSW (FPNSW) has been funded for the last 10 years by the NSW Cervical Screening Programme to provide courses for GPs and practice nurses throughout metropolitan and rural NSW.

The Cervical Screening Upskilling for GPs

This is a 2.5 hour workshop is ideal for GP registrars and GPs who wish to refresh their skills and improve participation rates in their practice by identifying barriers to screening especially in women from culturally and linguistically diverse groups (non-English speaking background), improving awareness of client comfort and the quality of the Pap smears taken, and to apply current NHMRC guidelines on follow-up of abnormal Pap test results. In addition, the GPs will learn about new technologies and information about new HPV vaccines.

This course attracts 5 category 2 points for the RACGP QA&CPD program for 2008-2010 triennium.

The Well Women’s Screening course

This 1 day course provides nurses with the skills to undertake cervical screening in a competent manner. The following topics are covered: Revision of Anatomy and Physiology, Cervical Screening, Breast Health, Policy and Procedure, Legal Issues, Infection Control, Pathology Follow Up and History Taking. In addition nurses are required to undertake a minimum 14 hours of supervised clinical placement with a final assessment Take-Home Examination.

This course has been endorsed by APEC No. 060310255 as authorised by Royal College of Nursing Australia, according to approved criteria. CNE points: 25

You may visit www.fpnsw.org.au to see the full list of courses on offer under Education and Calendar.

Pap Test Providers

To find a Pap test provider in your area (postcode), gender and language spoken, click here.

Payments and Incentives

MBS Item Numbers for claiming Cervical Screening services:
For GPs
For Practice nurses
Or visit www.health.gov.au, click on MBS online, type in the number.
Practice Incentive Payments - Visit Medicare’s website, under healthy professionals, Incentives and Allowances.

Resources

A range of resources for health service providers and consumers is available from the NSW Cervical Screening Program in English and other languages. Click here.
RACGP Clinical Audit information and application forms, click here.

Downloads

MD template: Pap test recall

Useful Web sites

NSW Cervical Screening Program
Cancer Institute NSW
Cancer Council NSW
Family Planning NSW
Breast Screen NSW
National Cervical Screening Program