By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
CASEY women are not getting screened for cervical cancer at the rate prescribed.
A report has revealed that Casey is in the bottom 20 Victorian suburbs for regular Pap tests.
The data collected from the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry 2014 annual report has shown a large drop in screening rates for women aged 20 to 29 across the state.
Statistics released on Monday 14 March outline less than half of the women aged 20 to 29 years are being regularly tested for cervical cancer.
Queenscliff ranks as the state’s most screened with 76.2 per cent of women undergoing two yearly Pap tests, and Melbourne, the lowest municipality at 42.7 per cent.
Casey isn’t far behind the CBD, with the rate of Pap smears in the region dropping from 57.70 per cent in 2012-2013 to 56.10 per cent in 2013-2014.
Not screening is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer, according to the statement, and Minister for Health Jill Hennessy advised leaving the awkward thoughts at the door saying, it’s “not worth risking your life over.”
“If you’re overdue for a test, book in today because that awkward Pap test could save your life,” Mrs Hennessy said.
The report detailed that 74 per cent of Victorian women diagnosed with cervical cancer had either never had a pap test or had let their screening lapse prior to diagnosis.
“My message to young women is do not become complacent. Even if you have had a HPV vaccine, you still need to have a regular test,” Mrs Hennessy said.
Medical director of the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry Professor Dorota Gertig said the drop is concerning.
“While many of Victoria’s young women have had the HPV vaccine to protect against most strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer, these women should not be complacent,” she said.
“It’s vital for all vaccinated and un-vaccinated women to have regular Pap tests to be sure.”
