Shepparton is falling behind the rest of the state in screening rates for cervical cancer and it is hoped a new self-collection test will make screening more accessible.
It is estimated only 56.8 per cent of eligible Shepparton residents participated in the National Cervical Screening Program, compared to 61.9 per cent state-wide, according to interim data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Furthermore, recent data from Cancer Council Victoria shows women living in regional Victoria are 28 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than those in major cities.
“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 to 74, even if they’ve had the HPV vaccine,” Cancer Council Victoria head of screening, early detection and immunisation Kate Broun 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 July 2022, a new choice for screening was introduced, with participants able to collect their own sample in a private space at a doctor clinic or other health setting.
Regional nurse cervical screening provider Emily Grant said self-collection had opened a door for people who had faced barriers to screening, including those living regionally.
“So often women and people with a cervix opt out of screening for various reasons,” she said.
“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.
“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.”
Find out more about self-collection at cancervic.org.au/selfcollection and speak to your doctor or nurse if you are due to a cervical screening test.