Published Thursday, 22 February, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
MEDIA CAMPAIGN URGES REGULAR PAP SMEARS FOR QLD WOMEN
Queensland Health and the Queensland Cancer Fund today launched a new community awareness campaign to encourage women to have regular Pap smears.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Karen Struthers, said the $1.3 million campaign would run over three years and was designed to help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Queensland.
“Cervical cancer is the most preventable of cancers, but Queensland has the lowest Pap smear participation rate in Australia,” Ms Struthers said.
“Women aged between 20 and 69 should ensure they have regular two-yearly tests.
“Thanks to the test, incidence of the cancer in Queensland has fallen from 204 women diagnosed in 1993 to 153 women diagnosed in 2003.”
Ms Struthers said the television advertisements would air in metropolitan areas from today and in central and rural Queensland from May.
“The Queensland Cervical Screening Program is saving the lives of hundreds of Queensland women every year,” she said.
“Yet, the latest figures show less than 60 percent of women have a regular Pap smear.
“That’s why we are getting the message out to all women at risk – a Pap smear every two years prevents cervical cancer.
“Because screening plays such a big role in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, this campaign will have a real impact on the wellbeing of Queensland women.
“Through the Pap smear, 90 per cent of the most common form of cervical cancer is preventable.
“But it is important to keep in mind that, unfortunately, Queensland women still die from cervical cancer – 39 in 2003.
Ms Struthers said women should not be confused by publicity about an HPV vaccine against cervical cancer, now available to Queensland women.
“Regardless of whether you are vaccinated, you still need to have a regular Pap smear,” she said.
Ms Struthers said the cervical screening campaign would run until 2009.
MEDIA: 3225 2680
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Karen Struthers, said the $1.3 million campaign would run over three years and was designed to help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Queensland.
“Cervical cancer is the most preventable of cancers, but Queensland has the lowest Pap smear participation rate in Australia,” Ms Struthers said.
“Women aged between 20 and 69 should ensure they have regular two-yearly tests.
“Thanks to the test, incidence of the cancer in Queensland has fallen from 204 women diagnosed in 1993 to 153 women diagnosed in 2003.”
Ms Struthers said the television advertisements would air in metropolitan areas from today and in central and rural Queensland from May.
“The Queensland Cervical Screening Program is saving the lives of hundreds of Queensland women every year,” she said.
“Yet, the latest figures show less than 60 percent of women have a regular Pap smear.
“That’s why we are getting the message out to all women at risk – a Pap smear every two years prevents cervical cancer.
“Because screening plays such a big role in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, this campaign will have a real impact on the wellbeing of Queensland women.
“Through the Pap smear, 90 per cent of the most common form of cervical cancer is preventable.
“But it is important to keep in mind that, unfortunately, Queensland women still die from cervical cancer – 39 in 2003.
Ms Struthers said women should not be confused by publicity about an HPV vaccine against cervical cancer, now available to Queensland women.
“Regardless of whether you are vaccinated, you still need to have a regular Pap smear,” she said.
Ms Struthers said the cervical screening campaign would run until 2009.
MEDIA: 3225 2680