Health workers warn that many women are putting themselves at greater risk of developing cervical cancer, with new figures revealing that Brimbank has one of the lowest cancer screening rates in the western suburbs.
Latest figures from the Cancer Council show that only 54.6 per cent of women in Brimbank had pap tests in 2011-12, well below the state average of 60 per cent.
Wyndham (49.6 per cent) had the lowest screening rate in Melbourne’s west.
This is despite the north-west having the state’s highest number of nurses (101) equipped to conduct pap tests.
National guidelines recommend that all women aged 18 to 70 who have ever been sexually active have a pap test every two years.
PapScreen Victoria manager Hiranthi Perera said Brimbank lagged behind the state average due to a lack of information or understanding.
‘‘Brimbank is obviously a culturally diverse area, with 43 per cent born overseas. So some might not be aware of the services in their area,” she said.
“The best thing to do is speak to a health care provider.
“The reasons are hard to pinpoint, but some women put it on the backburner. It can be due to the nature of the test, it can be awkward and embarrassing.
‘‘But it only takes a few minutes, once every two years, and it’s potentially life-saving.”
Western suburbs GP Jo-Ann Silva said screening was vital in preventing and making an early diagnosis.
Dr Silva said screening was available through GPs, women’s health nurses and community health centres.
