Launch of reports dealing with cervical cancer screening in Whitfords area

11/6/97

Many multicultural women who had never discussed cervical cancer screening or undergone the procedure would do so now, Minister for Women's Interests Rhonda Parker said today.

Mrs Parker said the women's heightened awareness about the need for cervical cancer screening was because of a highly successful health education project coordinated through the Ishar Multicultural Centre for Women's Health in conjunction with the Whitfords Women's Health Centre.

Mrs Parker was launching a report called 'No More Fear Now I Know'. The project was funded by the Women's Cancer Screening Service, Health Department of Western Australia.

"This project targeted 529 multicultural women who lived in the northern suburbs, many of whom had recently arrived to live in Perth," the Minister said.

"The women were provided with information related to the female reproductive system, cervical cancer screening and Pap smears."

Mrs Parker said 46 cultures were represented among the women, who ranged in age from 18 to 78 years. Bi-lingual health educators had attended information sessions and the information had been provided in the most culturally appropriate way.

"Thirty-six per cent of the women had never discussed having a Pap smear with anyone, while more than 30 per cent of the women had never had a Pap smear," she said.

"But six months later, 90 per cent of the women said they would talk to other women about the subject ,while 15 per cent of women who had never had a Pap smear said they would probably have it done now.

"Eighty-three per cent of the women also said they would have their two-yearly Pap smear when it was due."

The rationale for the project was based on research that showed that women from non-English speaking backgrounds were under-represented in screening programs; the North Metropolitan Regional (Health) Needs Analysis (1994) identified a need for an increase in uptake rates for Pap smears; and the National Health Survey indicated that areas with high numbers born in non-English speaking countries had a low level of participation in screening programs.

Mrs Parker also launched the Whitfords Cervical Screening Project Report. More than 600 women from 37 nationalities were targeted in this project.

The Minister said the project had addressed a vital health issue.

"Cancer of the cervix is the seventh most common cancer in Australia," she said.

"The good news is that, if diagnosed early, it can be prevented or cured. In fact, regular screening can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by up to 90 per cent."

Mrs Parker said young women needed to be tested every two years and women over 50 should have yearly checks until the age of 70.

"Many of the women involved in the 'No More Fear, Now I Know' project had newly arrived in Perth and often had put their own health as one of the last priorities on their list of needs," she said.

"However, even non-ethnic women do not have Pap smears as often as they should.

"There are a range of reasons ranging from being too busy with the family through to the fear of the unknown or the memory of an upsetting experience with a doctor.

"But cancer knows no age, cultural or lifestyle boundary."

Mrs Parker congratulated the Ishar Multicultural Centre for Women's Health and the Whitfords Women's Health Centre for conducting such a successful project.

She also endorsed a poster which she said would be an effective marketing tool in delivering the message that regular cervical cancer screening was not to be feared.

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins 9481 7810 or 0411 876 397