Take test to beat cancer
New screening methods highlight risk of cervical disease
WOMEN who test positive for changes that can lead to cervical cancer are facing a sixmonth wait for treatment because public clinics cannot cope with higher detection rates under a new test.
Experts are reinforcing the message that even if they have been vaccinated against cervical cancer, women still need to have regular five yearly screening tests.
There are 15 high-risk human papilloma viruses that can cause cervical cancer and the current vaccine protects against nine strains, including only seven high-risk variants.
There was a major change in the cervical cancer screening program in 2017 when a new, more sensitive test for HPV replaced the old pap smear.
Women now only need to be tested every five years instead of every two years.
The first study into the effect of the new test, published in the Medical Journal Australia, has found the number of women sent for further checks as a result of screening has increased by 300 per cent.
The health system is battling to cope with the extra demand and women are waiting six months for further investigation instead of the ideal six weeks, says study author University of Sydney Annabelle Farnsworth.
Adjunct Professor Farnsworth’s study of more than 190,000 cervical cancer tests conducted between December 1, 2017, and May 31 last year found 2.6 per cent of women needed a further check, called a colposcopy, an increase from 1 per cent under the old pap smear.
“It has seriously exceeded expectations, we thought it would go up 25 per cent but it’s gone up by 300 per cent,” she said.
“It has been an ongoing issue trying to get into public clinics, they have been overwhelmed and in Melbourne there is a six-month wait.”
Only 56 per cent of women take part in regular cervical cancer screening and the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation is urging all women to get screened by the end of the year.
Olympic runner and hurdler Jana Pittman was in the second year of her medical degree and trying to get pregnant with her second child when a screening test showed she had changes in her cervical cells that could lead to cancer.
“I was seven to eight years overdue for a pap smear,” Ms Pittman said.
“I didn’t intend not to do it, I just forgot because I was busy competing.”
She did not need immediate treatment and had sixmonthly checks which showed the condition did not progress and her body dealt with the virus on its own, but the experience led her to choose a career as a gynaecologist.
“I’ve seen young women in their 30 die in the peak of motherhood and the impact on their families is devastating,” Ms Pittman said.
“Five minutes of discomfort can save your life. We are in a position to eradicate cervical cancer.
“I hope my sporting career can help give a voice to encourage women to get screened.”