Victoria is now home to world-leading technology that is making it easier and faster for Victorian women to screen for cervical cancer.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas this week visited the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC) to unveil its new BD COR Machine - which is making sure we can screen more women across Victoria for cervical cancer.
The first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, the new machine means Victoria can now process a much higher volume of self-collected tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) - a common infection that can cause cervical cancer.
Many women report that the traditional method of testing, done by a clinician, can be uncomfortable and can also be difficult to access - especially for women in regional Australia.
Allowing more women to self-test, in the comfort of their own home will reduce these barriers and ensure women who otherwise would have gone without a test are more likely to screen for cervical cancer - potentially saving lives.
The Andrews Labor Government invested more than $400,000 to purchase the machine, which will help the ACPCC meet the growing demand for self-collected samples, following the introduction of self-collection as an option for all women participating in routine cervical screening.
More than 70 per cent of cervical cancers occur in those who have never screened or are overdue and self-collection will play a key role in our efforts toward the elimination of cervical cancer.
Australia's world-leading screening program, combined with its HPV vaccination program, means we are on track to be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.
Cervical cancer screening is recommended every five years for women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 74.
The Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-2024 sets the ambitious target for Victoria to reach this goal by 2030 - and this new technology, and partnerships with organisations like the ACPCC, is crucial to achieving this goal.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"This machine is the first of its kind in Australia and will ensure more Victorian women are screened for cervical cancer."
"By allowing more women to self-test at home, this machine will reduce barriers and make it easier and faster to screen for cervical cancer."
"We're proud to work in partnership with organisations like the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer on the journey to eliminating cervical cancer by 2030."
