Points to note after Cervical Screening (For Client who join Cervical Screening Information System)

(Content revised 04/2023)

Important

It is common and normal to have slight vaginal bleeding in the first two days after the cervical screening. If bleeding becomes more severe, please phone the Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC) for follow-up or seek medical advice from your family doctor.

Understanding the cervical screening result

  • A "negative" or "normal" result means that
    1. there are no abnormal cell changes detected in your cervical smear specimen (for women below age 30), or
    2. high risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is not detected in your cervical specimen (for women aged 30 or above); or
    3. detection of benign conditions which have no significant bearing on long-term health and do not require follow-up.*
  • A "positive" or "abnormal" result usually means that there are some changes in the cells of your cervix or hrHPV is detected in your cervical specimen, which may need further follow-up or investigation. It does not necessarily mean you already have cancer.

Cervical screening is not 100% accurate

As with any other screening tests, the cervical screening test is not 100% accurate. The test may sometimes miss a real abnormality (false negative) or wrongly classify normal cells as abnormal (false positive). Possible causes are:

  1. The quality of the cervical sample was affected by:

    Before the test:

    • sexual intercourse;
    • use of pessaries or spermicides;
    • douching (shower and bath would not affect the quality);

    During the test:

    • vaginal discharge caused by a vaginal infection;
    • Menstrual blood.
  2. Sample handling errors.
  3. Abnormal cervical cells are situated at a site which is difficult to reach inside the cervical canal.
  • Although cervical screening does not have 100% accuracy, this is not a cause for worry. Cervical cancer normally takes years to develop.
  • REGULAR cervical screening can prevent the development of 90% or more of cervical cancers.
  • Even if the previous result is normal, women should still continue with regular cervical screening.
  • If you have any symptoms, like abnormal vaginal bleeding, see a doctor promptly, even if your last cervical screening result was normal. Don't wait until your next cervical screening.

Notification and follow-up of cervical screening result

Result You will be informed by
Negative or Normal You will receive a notification by post, email or SMS according to your preferred means of correspondence from the Cervical Screening Information System (within 3 months)
Negative or Normal
AND the sample shows the presence of Candida or Bacterial Vaginosis		 You will receive a notification letter and related information leaflet from the MCHC concerning Candida or Bacterial Vaginosis within 1 month.
(Please note that the MCHC would not inform you by phone)
Positive or Abnormal The MCHC staff will inform you by phone within 2 to 3 weeks. Follow-up appointment will be arranged if needed. Fees will be charged per attendance.

Note: You will receive a notification within 3 months by post, email or SMS according to your preferred means of correspondence from the Cervical Screening Information System (www.csis.gov.hk) to notify you to login using your pre-set login name and password to view the stored results and letters.

Booking your next cervical screening

  • If your result is normal, please book your next cervical screening appointment through the hotline 3166 6631 one month before the recommended due date.
  • Women aged 45 or above are required to make an appointment after the 12th day of menses.
  • Avoid vaginal pessary, coitus or vaginal douching two days before the test.
  • If you are informed by phone to come back for further follow-up, we will arrange an appointment for you.

* MCHCs only provide cervical screening but not the routine vaginal examination. 

* Please seek advice from general outpatient clinic or private doctors if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge or other gynaecological concerns.

Please refer to the "Cervical Screening Programme" booklet or browse www.cervicalscreening.gov.hk for more information.

Cervical Screening Information System – Registration Notes

Notes to Applicant

  1. The Cervical Screening Information System (CSIS) is a computerised registry for keeping and processing data related to cervical screening, including participants' personal information, screening results and next recommended screening date.
  2. Eligibility: women who receive cervical screening may register with the CSIS.
  3. Registration is free of charge.
  4. A charge will be collected by your service provider to perform cervical screening.
  5. After joining the CSIS, if your service provider has submitted your screening results to the CSIS, you can:
    • review submitted screening records on the CSIS (www.csis.gov.hk)
    • receive reminders for cervical re-screening by e-mail, by SMS or by post
    • authorise selected service providers to review participant's screening records for better and continuous care
  6. Please note that you have to arrange for cervical screening with your service providers yourself.
  7. If Hong Kong address is not provided, we will not be able to send letters to you by post (including Account Opening Letter, Reminder Letter, Password Retrieval Letter, etc.). We may call you to arrange collection of Account Opening Letter or Password Retrieval Letter at the office of Cervical Screening Programme by yourself. However, if you cannot provide a Hong Kong contact telephone number, we will not be able to call you.

Terms and Conditions

  1. You should inform us of any change of personal information using the Information Update Form.
  2. You should bring along your Authorization Code (which will be sent to you later) when you visit your service provider for cervical screening or related tests. This may facilitate your service provider to view your past test results.
  3. The Cervical Screening Information System (CSIS) is not meant to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice or to replace any relationship with your doctor. For any medical concerns, including follow-up and treatment plans, you should always consult your health service providers. The Department of Health is not liable for any damages or harms as a consequence of any misuse of the CSIS, or any errors or omissions in your records.

Personal Information Collection Statement

We shall keep your personal data confidential at all times. Our policies and practices with respect to the collection, use, retention, disclosure, transfer, security and access of personal data will be in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) and are as set out in this Statement.

By signing your agreement to this Statement in the Registration Form, you have authorized any Services within the Department of Health (DH), the Hospital Authority and the public hospitals under its management, any entities (including subsidiaries) owned/controlled by the Hospital Authority, private hospitals and clinics, and any third parties as appropriate to provide your personal data (including health information) to the Cervical Screening Information System (CSIS) of DH. Such personal data will be used for the purposes stated below.

Purpose of Collection

Your personal data and health information provided to the CSIS which is maintained by DH, will be used for the following purposes:

  1. Recording and transferring of your personal data and health information (collected at anytime from your registration with the CSIS until your withdrawal) for continuity of care or reference by other medical professionals who provide care to you (if you withdraw from the CSIS, your record will only be retained for internal use and access by DH);
  2. Contacting you and sending screening reminders and notifications to you;
  3. Preparing statistics for research or teaching purposes;
  4. For quality assurance of the CSIS; and
  5. Investigating and following up matters related to the CSIS.

The provision of personal data is voluntary. If you do not provide sufficient information, we may not be able to prove that you have registered with the CSIS and cannot provide/coordinate services for you.

Classes of Transferees of Personal Data

Besides internal use within DH, your personal data and health information may also be accessed by, disclosed and transferred to other health care providers, including doctors and pathology laboratories, Government bureaux/departments, the Hospital Authority, and any relevant third parties for the purposes mentioned above, if required. Apart from this, the data may only be disclosed to parties where you have given consent to such disclosure or where such disclosure is allowed under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

Access to Personal Data

You have a right of access and correction with respect to personal data as provided for in sections 18 and 22 and Principle 6 of Schedule 1 of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Your right of access includes the right to obtain a copy of your personal data.  A fee may be imposed for complying with a data access request.

Enquiries

Written enquiries concerning the personal data provided, including the making of access and corrections, should be addressed to Cervical Screening Programme Office, Department of Health, Room 10, 5/F, 134 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong. You may also visit our website: www.cervicalscreening.gov.hk.