SWAMS promotes cervical cancer awareness as part of Women's Wellness month

Hosted by the South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS), a series of Women’s Wellness events are being held in Collie, Manjimup, Busselton, Brunswick Junction, Harvey and Bunbury.

The free clinic and information sessions aim to raise the importance of regular Pap smears in a relaxing and supportive environment. Women are also able to take advantage of a free on-the-spot Pap smear test in the Clinic On Wheels.

Those who have attended the events so far have enjoyed a healthy lunch and were treated to a relaxing day of pampering while children were kept entertained with colouring-in activities.

SWAMS’ nurse practitioner Jemima Higgins said the feedback from women attending the events so far indicated that they felt comfortable with the environment, and supported to have a Pap smear in the Clinic On Wheels.

“By taking the service to different towns we are hoping to increase access to cervical screening,” she said.

“A Pap smear is a quick and simple test used to check the health of the cells on your cervix and it’s your best protection against cervical cancer for all women aged between 18 and 70.”

According to the Department of Health’s statistics, in 2013-14 the South West region had a cervical screening participation rate of 56.4 per cent, which is greater than the State rate of 55.5 per cent.

This rate is thought to be lower among the Indigenous population.

“While these statistics are encouraging, it shows there is still a large number of women who do not screen regularly and are therefore at risk of developing cervical cancer, which is preventable with early detection and treatment,” Ms Higgins said.

“We want to encourage women to come along to one of our events, have a health check, enjoy some lunch and activities. We’ll also have prizes and giveaways at each event.”

There are still two events left for the month of May. One will be held between 10am and 2pm on May 25 at the Harvey Recreation Centre and another between 10am and 2pm on May 29 at the Hudson Road Family Centre in Bunbury.

For more information contact the SWAMS Clinic on 9726 6000 or Jemima Higgins on 0408 912 779.