A concerning drop in cervical cancer screening rates in Geelong and the Surf Coast has medical authorities worried, new figures have revealed.
The Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry 2014 annual report shows the drop was particularly prevalent among women aged 20 to 29 years.
Less than half that age group was being regularly screened for cervical cancer, with test rates falling more than eight per cent to 46 per cent since 2006-’07.
The report also revealed there had been an overall decline in screening rates across all age groups compared to the previous year.
Geelong came in at 30 on a table of local government areas, with rates dropping from 63.3 per cent in 2013 to 62.3 per cent in 2014.
Surf Coast dropped from 68.3 per cent in 2013 to 66.4 per cent in 2014.
The highest screening rates were in Queenscliff, with 74.7 per cent of women having pap tests in 2013 rising to 76.2 per cent on 2014.
Medical Director of the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry, Professor Dorota Gertig said the fall in screening among women aged 20 to 29 years was of concern.
“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.
“It’s vital for all vaccinated and un-vaccinated women to have regular Pap tests to be sure.”
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy said women overdue for a test should book in as soon as possible.
“We all know Pap tests can be awkward but it’s not worth risking your life over because that awkward Pap test could save your life.
“Around 75 per cent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer had either never had a Pap test or had not had them regularly before diagnosis – not getting tested is just not worth the risk.”
