Almost half the women of Melton and Moorabool are not having regular pap screen tests, raising alarm at PapScreen Victoria.
Cancer Council data shows only 51.7 per cent of Melton women and 58.1 per cent of Moorabool women were screened annually, compared to the state average of 60 per cent.
PapScreen Victoria manager Hiranthi Perera urged women to prioritise their health and not rely on whether they’ve had the HPV vaccine. “We know that with women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer, 90 per cent haven’t been screened,” Ms Perera said.
“It’s a real concern because we want to ensure all women are prioritising their health.”
New research published in the Medical Journal of Australia last month showed women who had received the HPV vaccines were even less likely to be screened than women who had not been vaccinated.
Ms Perera said Melton’s large migrant population could also be a factor in the city’s low screening rates.
“The area of Melton has a high proportion of women from culturally diverse communities, so they might not be aware screening is government funded.
“The pap test itself is government funded. However, there may be a cost to women depending on which provider they see.”
Ms Perera encouraged women to look for providers in their area and ask about the costs involved.
Melton has the third-lowest screening rate in the state, compared with Melbourne (45.7 per cent) and Wyndham (49.6 per cent).
Last year, 11,000 pap tests were collected in Melton and 3000 in Moorabool. The test looks for abnormal cell changes before they become cancerous and need treatment.
“Pap screening tests are literally one of the most effective cancer screening tests that are available,” Ms Perera said.
Find a local provider at papscreen.org.au.
