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Canberra Today 12°/15° | Saturday, March 30, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Cervical cancer tests are changing

FROM May next year the Australian Government will replace the Pap test in order to keep up with new medical findings. Cervical cancer awareness week

In its place will be a cervical screening test for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) aimed at women aged between 25 and 74 years of age, with routine screening to occur every five years instead of every two.

This risk-based approach adopted by the Cervical Screening Program means women will receive a result based on their risk of developing significant cervical abnormalities during the five years.

Minister for Health, Sussan Ley says: “The updates to our screening program means that we are taking advantage of the latest evidence and medical discoveries in our fight against cervical cancer. Australia will be world-leading in providing this new test to Australian women for better health outcomes.”

This news kicks off the beginning of the National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week today (November 7).

Ley says I am encouraging all Australian women during this important week to make sure they are up to date with their cervical screening.

“80 per cent of all women that are diagnosed with new cancers of the cervix in Australia, have either never been screened or are lapsed screeners.”

More information via Department of Health’s website

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