The death rate from cervical cancer has almost halved in Victoria in the 15 years to 1997.
New figures released by PapScreen Victoria today show that despite an ageing population there has been a 47 per cent decrease in the cervical cancer death rate between 1982 and 1997. Sixty-eight women died of cervical cancer in Victoria in 1997.
The incidence rate in the same time period fell by 28 per cent with 180 women diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1997.
PapScreen education manager, Ms Julie Hassard, said Victorian women had minimised their risk of cervical cancer by having a Pap test every two years. Screening with regular Pap tests detect abnormal changes to cervical cells that may lead to cancer if left untreated. All women between the ages of 18 and 70 who have ever had sex should have a Pap test every two years.
"The biggest decrease in cervical cancer incidence and deaths have occurred since 1989 when organised screening was first introduced," she said.
"In that time we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of women having Pap tests every two years from about half the population to more than 70 per cent."
The latest figures from the Victorian Pap Test Registry reveal that in the two-year period 1997–98, 71.4 per cent of Victorian women had a Pap test. Registry data shows that the biggest increases in Pap test screening have occurred among women in their 50s and 60s. This reflects the efforts of PapScreen campaigns, which have concentrated on older women.
However, 40 per cent of women in their 60s did not have a Pap test in 1997–98.
Ms Hassard said Senior Citizens Week offered an ideal opportunity to remind older women that they need to keep having Pap tests until they are 70.
"Older women need to be particularly vigilant about Pap tests every two years, as the risk of cervical cancer increases with age," she said.
"Women who have gone through the menopause, who are no longer sexually active or who have had a hysterectomy may still be at risk of cervical cancer."
Ms Hassard said women who were not sure about whether they needed a Pap test should consult their doctor or community nurse.
