A new project is aiming to help more women in western Sydney protect themselves against cervical cancer.
Test Out West, launched by Family Planning NSW, is empowering young women to get the Cervical Screening Test.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers – screening can detect changes before cancer develops.
But more women need to take action in NSW. South West Sydney Local Health District (LHD) and Western Sydney LHD in particular have screening rates below the state average.
Rob Hardy, Health Promotion Manager with Family Planning NSW, says community spirit is at the heart of the new project to change that.
“It’s really community-based – developed with community, featuring local women from western Sydney. We're sharing their stories,” Mr Hardy explains.
“We’re using social media to really tap into the motivations around screening, and promoting themes like looking out for each other.”
“That community spirit – being around for your family and those underlying motivations that will create behaviour change.”
The Cancer Institute NSW is supporting the project through an Innovations in Cancer Control Grant, awarded in 2018.
Together the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the Cervical Screening Test can prevent cervical cancer.
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV – a common infection that usually clears up by itself but in rare cases, a persistent HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine protects against high-risk types of HPV. But as the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, women still need to get a Cervical Screening Test.
What barriers will the project tackle?
Rob Hardy says one of the main goals behind the campaign is to educate young women about the change to cervical screening, and explain the new schedule for the Cervical Screening Test.
The Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap Test in December, 2017 as the method of screening for changes that can lead to cervical cancer.
“There was the real potential for young women to be quite confused about the changes: the screening age being 18 previously, now increased to 25,” Mr Hardy says.
“Lots of questions around: 'Is that okay?' and 'Does it put me at risk?'
“We want to address those myths and provide education around the new Test – why it’s more effective and how it’s a different test.”
Young women are also the first generation to receive the HPV vaccine through the Australian National Immunisation Program, so the project will focus on ensuring they remain vigilant and still get the Cervical Screening Test.
“It’s that feeling that: ‘I've had the HPV vaccination – I'm fully protected now from cervical cancer.'”
“This is not the case – people need both the HPV vaccine and the Cervical Screening Test.”
What does the project look like?
Test Out West is embodying the people it wants to speak to – working with women from western Sydney to create the project.
“We haven't used actors. We've worked with real, local women from western Sydney,” Mr Hardy explains.
“We've worked with their real stories, and we're delivering it in a language that's natural, approachable and relatable.”
Social media is central to Test Out West – reaching young women where they spend their time online.
“It will also be present in traditional media and advertising, as well as physical posters and brochures in clinics and community centres, but the core of the campaign is digital.”
The Cancer Institute NSW has managed the NSW Cervical Screening Program since July, 2005. Find out more about cervical screening in NSW: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/cervical-screening-nsw