Women urged to have two-yearly Pap smears
By increasing the number of women having a Pap smear every two years, the Northern Rivers General Practice Network hopes to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the region.
“In up to 90% of cases, two-yearly Pap smears can prevent the most common form of cervical cancer,” said Dr Dan Ewald, spokesman for the division.
“Having a Pap smear every two years can pick up early changes to the cervix, which allows closer monitoring of such changes and earlier intervention if needed.”
The biggest risk factor in cervical cancer is not being screened every two years. Three out of four women who develop cervical cancer have either never had a Pap smear or haven’t had one in the past five years.
“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 their Pap smears every two years,” Dan said.
Since the national cervical screening program started in 1991, new cases of cervical cancer have fallen from 1091 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,” Dan said.
Having a Pap smear can be combined with a broader well women’s check that might include checking menstrual cycle, contraception and sexual history, discussing continence and menopause issues if relevant.
The NRGPN has employed registered nurse Jan Ousby to provide a women’s health check at a number of participating local general practices so that they can offer these women’s health services. She also offers training and support to existing practice nurses.
“All GPs can provide Pap smear checks, however sometimes women prefer to see a different practitioner or a female practitioner just for this service,” Dan said.
As well as Jan’s well women clinics, there are also 16 nurses in other local general practices who are qualified to do Pap smears with more nurses interested in completing the required training.
“We believe that it is important for women to be able to have their Pap test at their usual practice,” Dan added.
Other services that offer Pap smears to women include local community health centres, Lismore Family Planning Clinic, Women’s Health Matters in Lismore, which specialises in older women’s issues, and gynaecologists.
