BELLARINE Community Health wants women to be aware that the federal government will tomorrow introduce a change to its national screening program for cervical cancer.<\/p>\n
A new test for the human papillomavirus (HPV) will replace the traditional Pap smear from December 1.<\/p>\n
The new test needs to be done less often and is more accurate.<\/p>\n
Bellarine Community Health provides a free Well Women\u2019s Clinic with cervical screening, and Community Health Nurse Denise Heathcote is encouraging women on the Bellarine to be aware of the changes coming into effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder the new national cervical cancer screening program, the HPV test will eliminate the need for women to have a Pap smear every two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are over the age of 25 you will undergo a HPV test every five years, and that\u2019s a big change for a lot of women.\u201d<\/p>\n
A drop-in session will be held at the Drysdale Community Health Centre on Friday (tomorrow) for women wanting more information about the new screening program.<\/p>\n
For information on the drop-in session and the BCH Well Women\u2019s Clinic, phone 5258 0812, email intake@bch.org.au or head to bch.org.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BELLARINE Community Health wants women to be aware that the federal government will tomorrow introduce a change to its national screening program for cervical cancer. A new test for the human papillomavirus (HPV) will replace the traditional Pap smear from December 1. The new test needs to be done less often and is more accurate. […]<\/p>\n