New vaccine no replacement for Pap test

The Cancer Council of Australia has cautioned that the recently approved cervical cancer vaccine should not be considered as a substitute for regular Pap screening.

The Cancer Council Australia's CEO Ian Olver is urging all women aged 18-69 to continue regular two year screening.

"While the vaccine is an exciting prospect for future generations, in Australia the Pap test is currently the best protection against cervical cancer for women who have ever had sex. Even for girls who are vaccinated, Pap tests will still be important”, he said.

Although the vaccine has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia, the vaccine is only effective against two specific strains of human papilloma virus (HPV). These strains cause up to 70 per cent of cervical cancers, but the vaccine does not protect against all types of cancer-causing HPV.

The incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in Australia have fallen in recent years, due mainly to the widespread use of Pap smear screening tests and the subsequent treatment of any precancerous abnormalities.

Please see the Cancer Council Australia media release (PDF 188 Kb).

Remember: All women aged 18 – 69 should have a regular Pap smear test every 2 years.

Source: © HealthInsite, June 2006 http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/content/internal/page.cfm?ObjID=0E099F1D-9917-284B-84E3332F71B18F16