Cervical Screening Saves Lives

Dr Haikerwal encouraged all women to make sure they have a Pap smear, the test that detects early signs of cervical cancer, every two years, or sooner if they get symptoms such as unusual bleeding.

Dr Haikerwal made the call during Federal AMA's Family Doctor Week (FDW) - the theme this year is GPs are Lifesavers.

Dr Haikerwal said all women who have ever had sexual intercourse should have a Pap smear every two years, even if they are no longer sexually active.

"Women should have their first Pap smear around the age 18 to 20 or a year or two after first having sex, whichever is later," Dr Haikerwal said.

"Women are advised to continue having regular Pap smears until they are 70, at which time their doctor might advise that it is safe to stop having the test if previous results have been normal.

"Women who have any unusual symptoms, such as unexpected bleeding, discharge or pains, should see their doctor, even if their last Pap smear was normal.

"With a Pap smear test every two years and appropriate treatment when abnormal cells are detected (even before they have become cancerous), most cervical cancer can be prevented or successfully treated.

"State and Territory statistics show the current national screening rate for cervical cancer is approaching 70 per cent. But screening is still low among older women and among particular groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women," Dr Haikerwal said.

GPs conduct Pap smear tests in their consulting rooms. The procedure is very straightforward but might require a longer appointment than usual.

Cervical screening has been available for Australian women since the 1960s. Screening has been available since 1991. In 1995 the program became known as the National Cervical Screening Program.

Facts

• Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable of all cancers.
• Around 90 per cent of the most common form of cervical cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) can be prevented if cell changes are detected and treated early.
• Each year in Australia approximately 1,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and some 250 women die from the disease.
• Three out of four women who develop cervical cancer each year have never had a Pap smear or not had one within the past two years.
• 80 per cent of people who die from cervical cancer have never had or are way out of date for a Pap smear.
• The risk of cervical cancer increases with age.
• Since screening was introduced in 1991 there has been a 70 per cent reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer.

There will be a range of FDW activities co-ordinated out of the Federal and State AMA offices. For more details on FDW activities, call Kristen Connell on 02 6270 5439 or 0409 070 346. An image of this year's FDW poster is available on the AMA's website www.ama.com.au.

2005 Family Doctor Week is supported by American Express.

18 July 2005

CONTACT: Judith Tokley, AMA Public Affairs (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

Kristen Connell, AMA GP Department (02) 6270 5439 / (0409) 070 346