New program aims to reduce cervical cancer
Reducing the incidence of cervical cancer among women on the North Coast is the aim of a new project being run by the Northern Rivers General Practice Network.
Through the project, an accredited nurse will be available to conduct well-women’s clinics at participating local general practices that do not already have a cervical screening-accredited practice nurse.
Patients having a well-woman’s check will spend 30 minutes with the nurse who will take a Pap history, menstrual cycle, contraception and sexual history, discuss continence and menopause issues, as well as offer a Pap smear and breast check.
“We are hoping that by offering women a choice of practitioners at their own medical centre, more women will feel more comfortable about having a regular Pap smear,” says Jan Ousby, the cervical screening project officer.
Jan says it is recommended that women have a Pap smear every two years as this can pick up early changes to the cervix, which allows closer monitoring of such changes and earlier intervention if needed.
Since the organised cervical screening program started in 1991, new cases of cervical cancer have fallen from 1-091 diagnosed in 1991 to 725 diagnosed in 2003.
“Women who have been vaccinated with the new cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil will still need to have regular Pap smears because the vaccine only protects against four of the most common virus types that are known to cause cervical cancer, so it does not prevent all cervical cancers,” Jan said.
The new project will also encourage and support nurses interested in completing cervical screening accreditation. This will increase the number of practice nurses able to offer well-women’s checks in general practices on the Northern Rivers.
“In this area, 65% of women aged 18-69 have had their two-yearly Pap smear. We hope to improve on this and it would be wonderful if all women in this age group were having regular biennial Pap smears,” Jan said.
Jan encourages women to contact their local general practice to arrange for a well-women’s health check.
