If you've delayed your cervical screening now is the time to catch up

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Darling Downs Health Mobile Women’s Health Nurse Jodie Bell is encouraging residents in our community to get up to date with their cervical screening.

“Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers as it can take up to 10-15 years to develop,” Ms Bell said.

“That’s why regularly screening is so important as the early detection of HPV and cell changes means it may be possible to prevent HPV infection developing into cervical cancer.”

Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 years should be screened every five years.

There are two choices for cervical screening – self-collection or practitioner collected.

Self-collection provides people with the option to collect their own vaginal sample in our mobile women’s health clinic or at your local GP in a private space such as behind a curtain or in a private room.

This year so far, our mobile women’s health nurses have collected 3688 samples, with 2968 practitioner collected and 665 self-collected across the Darling Downs.

“While self-collection is boosting our collection rates, there are still women in our community who haven’t yet been screened or have delayed their regular screening,” Ms Bell said.

“Our message to the women in our community who have delayed their cervical screening, now is the time to catch up.”

Mobile Women’s Health Nurse Jodie Bell.

“Take the time to book an appointment with one of our mobile women’s health nurses at their upcoming free clinics.

“We’re here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about cervical screening tests – including if you’re interested in self-collection.”

To book an appointment with one of our mobile women’s health nurses visit our website here.