Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable of all cancers. It is the eighth most common cancer in Australian women. It is estimated that up to 90.0% of the most common type of cervical cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) may be prevented if cell changes are detected and treated early.
The Tasmania Cervical Cytology Register commenced in 1994. The register provides records of women’s screening history and a back-up reminder service to women overdue for screening. The register is supported by public and professional education activities, encouraging women in the target age group of 20-69 years to ask their doctors for regular two-yearly Pap smears.
In 2001, some 48,580 Tasmanian women were screened, and in 2002, some 45,643 women were screened.
A 62.6% participation rate was recorded for the 24 month period 2001-2002. In the 24 month period up to December 2003, the participation rate among women in the target group was 63.2%.
(Source: Report on Government Services, 2005; Cervical Screening in Australia 2001-2002, AIHW)
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