General News
13 March, 2023
Book in now for cervical cancer screenings
Now is the time to book a cervical screening test, Cancer Council Victoria is urging, with females living in regional Victoria 28 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer compared to those living in major cities — and to make...
Now is the time to book a cervical screening test, Cancer Council Victoria is urging, with females living in regional Victoria 28 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer compared to those living in major cities — and to make testing easier, self-collec-tion tests are now an option.
Cancer Council Victoria head of screening, early detection and immunisation Kate Broun urged residents to check if they are up to date with cervical screening and to book in if they are due or overdue.
“A Cervical Screening Test is the best way to prevent cervical cancer and needs to be done every five years by all women and people with a cervix aged 25-74, even if they’ve had the HPV vaccine,” she said.
“Regularly participating in cervical screening can help to detect the virus called HPV that causes most cervical cancers.
“Cervical screening can help to find cancer early, or even find pre-cancerous cells that can be treated before a cancer develops.
“In Australia, over 70 percent of cervical cancers are found in people who have never screened or are overdue for screening. Doing this one quick test every five years could save your life.
Now that there’s self-collection, you have a choice in how you protect yourself from cervical cancer.”
Those due for a screening test now have the option to self-collect their test.
Self-collection allows people to collect their own vaginal sample in a private space at the doctors or other health setting using a swab. It’s quick, easy and just as reliable as a sample taken by a doctor or nurse using a speculum.
Regional nurse cervical screening provider Emily Grant said self-collection has opened a door for those who have faced barriers to accessing screening, including those living regionally or remotely.
“So often women and people with a cervix opt out of screening for various reasons. For those of us living regionally, there can be additional barriers to screening, like finding a health professional near you who you feel comfortable with,” she said.
“Self-collection helps to break down a lot of these barriers by allowing people to choose what’s right for them and to do this important test themselves, in private, if they would prefer. It really is exciting.”
If you are due for a Cervical Screening Test, speak to your doctor or nurse about your options, including self-collection or call Cancer Council Victoria’s experienced cancer nurses on 13 11 20 for information and support.
Find out more about self-collection at www.cancervic.org.au/selfcollection or search for a local provider at www.cancervic.org.au/cervical-screening-test/where.asp