The NSW Government is partnering with Aboriginal communities to address inequities in cervical cancer outcomes through initiatives which focus on closing the cervical screening gap for Aboriginal women across the state.
New modelling shows while Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, without urgent action, elimination targets will not be reached for Aboriginal women until 12 years later.
The world-first study, supported by the Cancer Institute NSW, demonstrates that boosting access to screening, including accessible self-collection could significantly shorten the 12-year gap.
NSW Health, in partnership with Aboriginal organisations and local community members, is supporting these targeted initiatives, with more than $500,000 invested to help close this gap and increase cervical screening rates among Aboriginal people.
Key new initiatives include the roll out of a first of its kind cervical screening campaign, and additional funding for women's health nurses and Aboriginal Medical Services.
Delivered by Cancer Institute NSW in partnership with Aboriginal creative agency, Blackfisch, The Cervical Screening for Mob campaign was informed by Aboriginal community members and aims to motivate Aboriginal women aged 25 to 74 years to screen for themselves and their mob.
There will also be increased workforce education with a suite of new resources and training initiatives are available to support the Aboriginal health workforce to offer culturally safe cervical screening and education to Aboriginal communities. This includes the Yarning about women's health business: Cervical screening flipchart and facilitator manual, to help plan and deliver cervical screening yarning sessions.
The NSW Government is committed to the equitable elimination of cervical cancer in NSW, guided by the National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Australia.
Alongside the recently released NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy, these initiatives highlight NSW's commitment to improving cancer outcomes in Aboriginal communities.
A Cervical Screening Test every five years is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. It is recommended for people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 who have ever been sexually active.
The Cervical Screening Test is a quick and simple procedure that looks for a common infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes almost all cervical cancers. Women can do the test themselves in private at their local Aboriginal Medical Service or health service (self-collection) or choose to have a doctor or nurse do it for them. The screening test is recommended for all eligible women, even if they've had the HPV vaccination.
For more information on cervical screening, visit: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/screening-and-early-detection/cervical-screening.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when regular screening is undertaken, yet we know screening rates are lower in Aboriginal communities.
"Closing this unacceptable gap in cervical screening rates is a priority, we are focused on working hand in hand with community to ensure Aboriginal women have access to community-led screening services that are culturally safe and supportive."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris:
"The gap between health outcomes for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people is not good enough.
"Providing urgent access to culturally safe screening will help bring down the higher rates of cervical cancer among Aboriginal women.
"We must ensure Aboriginal women are not left behind in efforts to eliminate cervical cancer across the state and nationally."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
"Cervical cancer claims the lives of hundreds of Australians each year - and disproportionately so in Aboriginal women. Yet, it is preventable if detected early.
"These new initiatives will help raise awareness in the community, as well as provide culturally safe cancer screening for Aboriginal women.
"We want to make sure we support Aboriginal women in their healthcare, and bring down the rates of cervical cancer among Aboriginal people."
Quotes attributable to NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CE Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O'Brien AM:
"A cervical screening test every five years is the best way to prevent cervical cancer, and no one should miss out on this life-saving test because of the barriers they face.
"Eliminating cervical cancer in Australia is within our reach but we must ensure this is done equitably. Through codesigning solutions that work for Aboriginal communities we can support more women to do this life-saving test and close this unacceptable gap."
Quotes attributable to Mel Fernando, Aboriginal woman diagnosed with a precancerous condition of the cervix:
"After having my routine cervical screen, I was diagnosed with a serious precancerous change in my cervix, and I had to urgently have surgery to avoid developing cancer. It was scary. I was anxious. But I know that cervical screening saved my life.
"I'm sharing this for Mob because if my story helps even one of us get screened, it's worth it. We need to look after ourselves, our bodies, and our futures to be here for our kids and grandkids.
"Regardless of whether you're Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or non-Indigenous, please stay up to date with your cervical screening, because the alternative is far worse."
