Pap tests are estimated to be over 90% effective in preventing cases of cervical cancer in women.

Local studies have shown that 70% or more of women who get cervical cancer are either unscreened or under screened. In order to reduce the incidence of, and death from cervical cancer, the priority of the NSW Cervical Screening Program is to recruit women aged between 18 - 70 years who are either unscreened or under screened to have a Pap test every two years.