Manage your participation in the cervical program
The National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) reduces illness and death from cervical cancer.
How cervical screening works
Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 years are invited and reminded to book in a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years through a healthcare provider.
You have the option to self-collect your own sample or have your healthcare provider collect the sample. For more information, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Once your cervical screening sample is processed by the pathologist, your results will be recorded in the NCSR. If you have a high-risk result, your healthcare provider will be notified, so that you can work together to take the next appropriate steps on the screening pathway.
How the NCSR supports your screening journey
The NCSR makes it easier to manage your participation and stay up to date with your cervical screening by:
- Sending invitations and reminders when your test is due. Invitations are sent 3 months prior to your due date, allowing you to screen from this time onwards
- Recording your results and sharing them securely with your healthcare provider
- Notifying you and your healthcare provider if you need further follow-up
Information and preferences you can manage
We get your address from Medicare. If you wish to change your address, you will need to contact Medicare directly on 132 011 or visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au.
You can also provide an alternative address for correspondence related to cervical screening, which won’t change the address recorded in Medicare. Do this using the Participant Portal or by calling us on 1800 627 701.
You can choose to be notified by SMS or email when you have a new message in the Participant Portal, reducing the amount of mail received.
To do this, log in to the Participant Portal and select the Communication Preference tile.
You can manage your participation in the cervical program using the Participant Portal, by submitting a webform, or calling us on 1800 627 701:
- Defer your next cervical screening date: You can request to change (defer) the date of your next screening for a defined period, perhaps because of travel or health reasons.
- Opt out of the cervical program: It’s your choice to participate in the cervical program or have your details recorded in NCSR. Before opting out, we recommend reading important information about opting out.
- Resume participation in the cervical program: If you previously opted out of the NCSR, you can choose to resume participation at any time
If you’re not sure when you last screened or when you are next due to book in a Cervical Screening Test, you can find out by logging into the Participant Portal or calling us on 1800 627 701.
You can also view previous letters and notifications sent to you regarding the cervical program.
If you’re due for cervical screening, you can book in a Cervical Screening Test with your healthcare provider of choice.
You may choose to cease correspondence indefinitely or for a defined period.
This means we will continue to collect your screening test results and other screening information, but you will not receive any contact or reminders from us.
Your healthcare provider will still be able to access your screening information and will receive follow-up contact if required.
You can request to cease correspondence by using the Participant Portal, submitting a webform, or by calling us on 1800 627 701.
You can nominate a healthcare provider and request to nominate a personal representative by submitting a webform or calling us on 1800 627 701. You can also nominate a healthcare provider by using the Participant Portal.
- Nominated healthcare provider: Will receive relevant correspondence relating to your screening
- Personal representative: Is authorised to be contacted and make requests on your behalf in relation to screening
You can nominate a preferred / alternate name or a pseudonym to be recorded in the NCSR and used for all contact, including letters and notifications:
- Preferred or alternate name: For example, a name that you use regularly, such as a nickname or shortened version of your name
- Pseudonym: An alias or a fictitious name assumed for a particular purpose (for example, to protect your privacy)