The rate of cervical cancer will be halved by 2035 because of Australia's new Pap smear program, new research reveals.
A Cancer Council NSW study estimates the scheme will avert up to 2,000 new cervical cancer cases and save 587 women's lives by 2035.
Under the new HPV screening program, which came into affect on December 1 last year, women are only required to have a Pap test every five years instead of every two years.
The new test is more accurate at detecting the sexually transmitted Human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.
Published in journal PLOS ONE on Tuesday, the study found because of the increased sensitivity and accuracy of HPV testing, rates are initially expected to increase slightly.
"We predict that in the first two to three years after the program switch, cervical cancer rates could appear to increase by up to 15 per cent," said Professor Karen Canfell, Director of Research at Cancer Council NSW.
"However, this is no cause for concern - the short-term rates simply reflect that we're screening women with improved technology, which naturally results in increased and earlier detection and lets fewer cases go unnoticed," Professor Canfell said.
She says the new research provides further reassurance that the screening program will be a significant and timely step in Australia's journey towards completely eradicating cervical cancer.
To learn more about Australia's cervical screening program, visit Cancer Council's new website cervicalscreening.org.au.
Share
