Cervical screening participation rates
Why this indicator is important
When detected and treated early cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. [1]. Early detection of cancer can significantly improve outcomes for patients.[2]
- Since the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) began in 1991, incidence and death from cervical cancer has halved in Australia. [3]
- Women* with cancers diagnosed through cervical screening have an 87% lower risk of dying than women with cancers who had never had a cervical screening test.[4]
- Nationally, more than 70% of cervical cancers occur in women* who have never been screened or are not up to date with their cervical screening.[3]
- The NCSP changed on 1 December 2017 from biennial Pap test screening to a new Cervical Screening Test every five years [5]. The Cervical Screening Test looks for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the cause of almost all cervical cancers. If positive for HPV, the sample is automatically retested to look for abnormalities in the cells of the cervix.[5]
- The national cervical screening policy changed on 1 July 2022.[6] All women and people with a cervix are offered the option of self-collecting a vaginal sample or having the sample taken as usual from the cervix by a health professional. Both options are still accessed through a healthcare provider.
Cervical screening participation rate for participants aged 25-74, by state and territory, 2018-2022
About this indicator
This indicator shows cervical screening participation rate for participants aged 25–74, by state and territory across Australia from 2018–2022.
- NSW had a participation rate of 67.2% which is slightly below the national participation rate of 68.3%.
N = Number of women aged 25 to 74 years in population, 2018-2022.
* While data presented in this section specifically refers to cisgender women (i.e. women whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex), not everyone with a cervix and/or breasts is a woman, and cervical and breast cancer screening is important for everyone with a cervix and/or breasts including transgender and non-binary people.
Notes
1. Data source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, cancer screening programs: quarterly data (accessed August 2023).
2. From 1 December 2017, the NCSP changed to five yearly cervical screening for women aged 25–74, using a primary human papilloma virus (HPV) test with partial HPV genotyping and reflex liquid based cytology triage ("cervical screening test").
3. Data in this report are for women aged 25–74 screened under the renewed screening program.
4. Participation in the new five yearly program cannot be properly reported until there are 5 years of data available. In the interim, preliminary estimates have been calculated.
References
1. Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation. Reduce your risks [Internet]. Brisbane: Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, 2023 [cited 6th March 2024]. https://accf.org.au/reduce-your-risks/
2. Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Plan 2022–2027. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.
3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) National Cervical Screening Program monitoring report 2023, catalogue number CAN 157, Canberra: AIHW
4. Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018. Analysis of cancer outcomes and screening behaviour for national cancer screening programs in Australia. Cancer series no. 111. Cat. no. CAN 115. Canberra: AIHW
5. Cancer Australia. Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Australia 2017, 30 November. [cited 6th March 2024]. Available from: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/about-us/news/changes-national-cervical-screening-program
6. Department of Health and Aged Care. Self-collection to increase choice within the National Cervical Screening Program [Internet]. Canberra: Department of Health and Aged Care, 2021, 9 November. [cited 6th March 2024]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/news/self-collection-to-increase-choice-within-the-national-cervical-screening-program
