20 November 2024

 

MINISTER for Health, Ryan Park officially launched the campaign last week, as part of the State Government and Cancer Institute NSW’s efforts to help reach the global goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2035.

 

Minister Park said, “A Cervical Screening Test every five years is the best way to prevent cervical cancer, a disease that kills one in every three Australians diagnosed.

 

“The NSW Government is proud to invest in preventative health campaigns to help improve health outcomes for people across the state.”

 

“This life-saving Cervical Screening Test is very effective and is expected to reduce cervical cancer rates and deaths across Australian by 30 per cent, so I would encourage all eligible people to organise a screening.”

 

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, with more than 70 per cent of cases occurring in people who have never been screened or are not up to date with their cervical screening,

 

A Cervical Screening Test every five years is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. It’s recommended for eligible people aged 25 to 74 who have ever been sexually active and is available at a range of locations, including medical centres, community health centres or sexual health clinics.

 

A quick and simple procedure, the test looks for a common infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes almost all cervical cancers. Eligible people should have the screening test, even if they have had the HPV vaccination.

 

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison said, “Cervical cancer claims the lives of hundreds of Australians each year. We’re encouraging people to put their health first and, if eligible, take advantage of life-saving cancer screening.

 

“Cervical cancer is preventable and now there’s even a self-collection option, giving people a choice on how to do the test.

 

“Early diagnosis can improve the chances of survival so it is vital women make it a priority.”

 

Cancer Institute NSW’s new cervical screening campaign will run across social media and radio, specifically targeting eligible people aged 30-50 years, including priority populations.

 

NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM said, “While Australia has one of the lowest cervical cancer rates in the world, in NSW this year 300 people are predicted to be diagnosed with this highly preventable disease.

 

“It’s incredible to see such a big increase in the number of people opting to take advantage of the Test’s self-collection option, but we need to see even more people reduce their cervical cancer risk.

 

“The Test may be a confronting experience for some, but the alternative is far worse. I urge all eligible people to do the Test and reduce their risk of this deadly cancer.”

 

There are now two, equally effective options for doing the test, one is to have a healthcare provider collect a sample, the other is for people to collect their own sample, in private, at a medical centre.

 

More people are now choosing the self-collection option, with uptake increasing from 8.7 per cent of tests in the July to September 2022 quarter to almost 30 per cent in the quarter to June 2024.

 

Cancer Institute NSW has also developed a suite of online resources to enhance cervical screening awareness and access for people from diverse cultural backgrounds. The resources include information about the self- collection option and have been translated into 10 languages.

 

Shanny Pyke. who was diagnosed with cervical cancer, said “I was well overdue for my Cervical Screening Test, but I did eventually go to the GP. She examined me and the results showed I was positive for HPV and high-grade cell change.

 

“I was booked to see a specialist straight away and the results from the biopsy came back as stage 2B cervical cancer.

 

“It’s really important to get that screening done. I talk to a lot of people who say they don't have time or they felt like it was uncomfortable, but I tell them my time and my comfort were taken away and I regret that.”

 

For more information, visit cervical screening.

 

For more information about the campaign visit 'Prevention and Screening Campaign'.

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