WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program

Information for Women

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Cervical Cytology Registry (CCR)?

2. Why Do We Have the CCR?

3. How Will the CCR Help Me?

4. How Do I Join the CCR?

5. Do My Results Have to Go to the CCR?

6. What Information is Recorded?

7. How Can I Find Out if I Am Already Registered?

8. Who Else Has Access to My Information?

9. How Can I Update My Details?

10. Where Can I Get More Information?

1. What is the Cervical Cytology Registry (CCR)?

The CCR is part of the Department of Health’s WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (WACCPP). The CCR compiles a central confidential database of WA’s women's Pap smear and cervical biopsy results.

2. Why do we have the CCR?

The WA CCR was established in 1992, becoming fully operational in late 1994, because of convincing evidence that an organised program is the most effective way to reduce cervical cancer.

Through its encouragement of women to have regular Pap smears, the CCR assists in maintaining and increasing the screening rate for women throughout the State.

The CCR also helps to improve our understanding of cancer of the cervix and its treatment through its data collection. It also assists with monitoring and evaluation of the screening program through working collaboratively with the recruitment branch of the WACCPP.

3. How will the CCR help me?

There are three main benefits:

1. Reminders when tests are overdue:
   In general, Pap smears are recommended every two years. The CCR acts as a 'safety net' by sending you a reminder letter when you are overdue for your next smear. You may receive an earlier reminder if you have had an abnormal test result in the past. Having regular Pap smears is the best way to prevent cancer of the cervix.
   
   
2. A follow-up for important abnormalities:
   Approximately 90% of all Pap smears are normal, but inevitably some abnormalities are found. The CCR provides backup so that important abnormalities are not overlooked. The CCR is able to notify the doctor when an important abnormality appears not to have been followed-up.
   
   
3. Assist with Pap smear reporting:
   Pap smears are examined and reported by laboratory scientists. To enable the lab staff to report your smear with the most appropriate recommendations (keeping in mind any previous smear results you may have had) the CCR is able to provide a summary of your previous smear and biopsy results to laboratories and health care providers upon request.

4. How do I join the CCR?

It's easy - when you have a Pap smear, your details are automatically forwarded to the CCR by the laboratory that reports on your test, in accordance with the Health (Cervical Cytology Registry) Regulations (1991)

5. Do my results have to go to the CCR?

The choice is yours. If you do not want your results registered, please tell your care provider when you have the smear taken. Please keep in mind however, unless your results are registered, you will not receive reminder letters or follow-up advice from the CCR. Plus, the more results we have registered, the better our program development for fighting cervical cancer throughout Western Australia will be. You can withdraw your details from the Registry at any time by making a written request to the Registry, as required by the Health (Cervical Cytology Registry) Regulations (1991).

6. What information is recorded?

Your name, date of birth, address, Medicare number, date and results of your Pap smears and other cervical tests, your doctor's name and address, and the details of the laboratory examining your tests are recorded in the CCR database. Results of further investigations, such as colposcopy, may be recorded, as these can influence the frequency at which Pap smears are necessary. The details of what is sent to the CCR and how that information is transferred and stored are governed by the Health (Cervical Cytology Registry) Regulations (1991).

7. How can I find out if I am already registered?

You can get access to your own information by contacting the CCR.

8. Who else has access to my information?

The information detailed on the CCR database is considered strictly confidential. The Health (Cervical Cytology Registry) Regulations (1991), which defines the functions of the CCR, allows only you, your doctor and the pathology laboratories to have access to your screening history. The Regulations also require the CCR to forward details of any cases of cervical cancer it is aware of to the Western Australian Cancer Registry.

9. How can I update my details?

The CCR can only send you a reminder if it knows your correct and current details. If you change your name or address, please let the Registry know - either phone us or obtain a CCR Change of Address pamphlet from your local GP.

10. Where can I get more information?

Contact the friendly staff at the WACCPP directly.