That’s why this Friday, July 18, Cobram Community House is hosting a free pop-up clinic to allow women to screen themselves for the presence of human papillomavirus, the viral infection that can lead to cervical cancer.
Women’s Health Goulburn North East acting chief executive Renata Lucas, who spearheaded the project, explained that the Cancer Council Victoria had identified Moira Shire as an area of particular concern.
“There is some data to show that cancer screening is quite low in our area,” Mrs Lucas said.
“The rate of cancers is high. So there’s a need to bridge that gap and provide some accessible and free services so that women can get their screening and have a safe place to do that.”
The screening clinic, led by Women’s Health Goulburn North East in partnership with NCN Health and the Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit, will be run by a qualified female nurse.
The service is free for women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 74 years, and who haven’t had a cervix screening in at least the past five years.
“We’ve spoken to women across the region, and we know that there are many barriers that prevent them from easily accessing things like cervical cancer screening,” Mrs Lucas said.
“We know that availability of GP appointments is difficult, there are costs, and getting time off work or caring duties — we know that that makes it hard for women to prioritise appointments.”
Call the GV Health Community Service Access Unit on 1800 222 582 (option 4) to register for a spot in the clinic.
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