Wyndham women need to do more to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer.
New Cancer Council data shows the city has one of the lowest pap screening rates in the metropolitan area, with only 50 per cent of Wyndham women being screened in 2012-13.
The Melbourne local government area had the lowest screening rate, with only 44.4 per cent of women screened, while the state average is 60.4 per cent.
PapScreen Victoria manager Hiranthi Perera said up to 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases could be avoided with regular screening.
“The rates of the two-year participation in women aged 20 to 69 has increased in recent years, but substantial variation exists between different areas of Victoria, which is of concern,” she said.
Ms Perera said Wyndham’s large migrant population could be a factor in the city’s low rate of pap screen testing.
“There is quite a high proportion of people living in Wyndham who were born overseas, in countries where English is not the first language, so they might not understand the messages around screening,” she said.
“We have been doing a lot of work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities to increase screening rates. One of the things we have done is ensure women access information in their own language”
The Cancer Council is warning women who had received the HPV vaccine not to become complacent.
“We know 80 per cent of women who develop cervical cancer haven’t had regular screening,” Ms Perera said. “That proves the effectiveness of the screening program.
“It might be embarrassing and awkward, but it’s a couple of minutes that could save a life.”
