According to Murrumbidgee Local Health District over 28,000 women from Young and across the region have not been screened for cervical cancer.
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More than one-million women state wide who are overdue for their Pap test are being urged to have the more effective, five-yearly Cervical Screening Test, expected to reduce cervical cancer deaths by at least 20 percent.
The state’s Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Health Officer have joined experts from Cancer Council NSW and Family Planning NSW to ensure women get the message about the new test, which replaced the Pap test from last week and detects the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that may cause cervical cancer.
“The previous Pap test could only detect changes in the cells once they had occurred, whereas this test will allow us to identify and monitor women with HPV, who may be at a higher risk of these changes occurring, while women who are negative for HPV will have five years before their next screen. The new test will ensure women are one step ahead of cervical cancer,” Professor Currow said.
“Booking an appointment for this new test as soon as possible is vital. We know that eight out of 10 women diagnosed with cervical cancer have not had regular screening. Don’t let this be you.”
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, also urged women to speak with their GP about the new Cervical Screening Test.
“Cervical screening has been one of the great public health success stories of our generation, halving both the incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer,” Dr Chant said.
Professor Karen Canfell, Director of Research at Cancer Council NSW, said, “The new program is excellent news for all women. Recent results from Australia’s largest clinical trial, Compass, have shown that the new Cervical Screening Test is substantially more effective than the Pap test.
“Our research also tells us that the renewed program will reduce cervical cancer cases and deaths by at least 20 percent. Australia has been a leader in this space for decades, and it’s exciting to see us at the forefront of cervical cancer prevention again.”
“We are pleased that the new Cervical Screening Test will help prevent cancer in all women across NSW,” Medical Director of Family Planning NSW Dr Deborah Bateson said. “The new test is more accurate which means women only have to have one every five years.”
