Public support needed to eliminate cervical cancer

Imagine if there was type of cancer that could be eliminated in the future. A cancer for which there was screening readily available, that could detect precancerous cells and result in effective treatment, so the cancer would be prevented from even developing.

That’s cervical cancer.

This week is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (November 12-18) and with new research being released showing that cervical cancer could be eliminated in Australia by 2035, Cancer Council Queensland is calling on all Queenslanders to help make this a reality by getting up-to-date with their screening.*

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan said every year, about 200 women in Queensland are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

“The good news is that cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable by the combination of the HPV vaccine, regular screening and timely follow up of an abnormal test,” Ms McMillan said.

“Girls and boys aged 12-13 can receive the HPV vaccine free of charge through the National HPV Vaccination Program.

“It is important parents gives consent for their children to receive the vaccination, so they are protected against HPV and we can get closer to a cancer free future.”

Ms McMillan said the renewed cervical cancer screening program, that occurred in December last year, was an important step towards eliminating the disease, as it is a more accurate and effective test.

“The new test is more sensitive than the Pap test as it is detecting the presence of the HPV virus which is the first step before abnormal cell detection,” she explained.

“This National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week we are encouraging anyone with a cervix who has ever been sexually active and is aged between 25 to 74 to make a commitment to get up-to-date with their cervical screening.”

“It’s important for people to book in for their first Cervical Screening Test around their twenty-fifth birthday, or two years after their last Pap test, whichever is later.

“We have the science and the tools to markedly reduce cervical cancer and now we need the public’s determination to move forward and help eliminate the disease.”

Ms McMillan said if there are any Queenslanders who are unsure if they are up-to-date on their screening, she strongly recommends those individuals get in touch with their general practitioner as soon as possible.

“Women of any age who have symptoms such as unusual bleeding, discharge or pain should also see their health care professional immediately, regardless of when they were last screened,” she said.

For more information on cervical screening visit https://www.cancer.org.au/cervicalscreening.

If you or a loved one has been affected by cervical cancer and needs support, please contact Cancer Council Queensland via 13 11 20.

ENDS


For more information, please contact:

Lisa Maynard, Manager, Public Relations and Social Media
Cancer Council Queensland
P. (07) 3634 5171 or E. lisamaynard@cancerqld.org.au

*New research study

Combined impact of HPV vaccination and primary HPV screening on cervical cancer rates over time: Example from Australia” is a study by Cancer Council NSW, published in The Lancet Public Health.

The research predicts that cervical cancer rates will drop to less than 6 in 100,000 by 2022 – meaning that it will soon be considered a rare cancer. Rates will continue to drop further, dropping below 4 in 100,000 by 2035; a level so low the cancer would be considered as having been eliminated as a public health issue.

Cervical cancer rates in Queensland
  • In Far North Queensland there were 80 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 11.5 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In North Queensland there were 62 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 9.3 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In the Mackay region there were 41 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 10.9 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In Central Queensland there were 38 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 6.6 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In the Wide Bay-Burnett there were 50 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 9.2 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In South West Queensland there were 60 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 7.5 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In the Sunshine Coast region there were 99 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 8.3 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In the greater Brisbane region there were 413 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 8.1 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • In the Gold Coast region there were 138 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. This equates to 8.5 new cases of cervical cancer each year for every 100,000 females.
  • Data source: Queensland Cancer Register