May 17, 2010
Ballarat Health Services (BHS) has joined forces with Victoria's leading women's health agencies in the fight against cancer.
Together with BreastScreen Victoria and PapScreen Victoria - as well as Cancer Council Victoria - the organization is promoting increased participation in cancer screening through a new pilot program.
BHS Chief Executive Officer Andrew Rowe says the project, the Ballarat Cancer Screening Pilot, combines free breast and cervical cancer screening programs at a ‘one-stop-shop'.
"We are encouraging women aged 50 to 70 who have not had a breast screen or Pap test for more than two years to take advantage of this new initiative, which allows them to address their screening needs in one visit," he says.
Mammograms will be provided by Grampians BreastScreen and Pap tests will be performed by a Women's Health Grampians nurse Pap test provider, all under one roof. Bowel cancer screening information will also be available.
Mr Rowe says research shows women prefer to see a female healthcare professional for breast and cancer screening.
"We have responded to these findings by ensuring this new trial service is run entirely by experienced female clinic staff. Women have told us that cost can be a barrier as well, so we are offering this service free of charge," he says.
Mr Rowe says many women in rural areas also have difficulty accessing services located a long distance from each other, so the ‘one-stop-shop' has the added advantage of alleviating transport problems.
The Ballarat Cancer Screening Pilot will run clinics from Grampians BreastScreen, located at BHS's Queen Elizabeth Centre in Ascot St. The first clinic will begin on Monday, May 31, and appointments are expected to take less than an hour.
Mr Rowe says the trial service is aimed particularly at unscreened and underscreened community groups.
"Cervical and breast screening participation data has identified Ballarat as an area where screening is particularly low," he says.
"We also know that Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, so bowel screening information will be available when women attend their appointments.
"Screening for bowel cancer involves a simple test that can be done at home, and participation is extremely important as more than 90 per cent of cases can be cured if found early."
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in particular are encouraged to attend the clinics, and screening sessions will be run specifically for this group of women.
The Ballarat Cancer Screening Pilot is also supported by the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative, Ballarat Community Health Centre, Women's Health Grampians, the Ballarat and District Division of General Practice, Grampians Integrated Cancer Service and the Victorian Department of Health.
Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Australia, and the burden is particularly great for people living in rural areas. Improving access to screening for all Victorians is a major aim of the State Government's Victorian Cancer Action Plan.
Mr Rowe says the joint program hopes improve health outcomes for women in the Ballarat region.
Women aged between 50 and 70 who have not had a Pap or breast screen for more than two years are eligible for the screening service. Appointments can be made by calling Grampians BreastScreen on 5320 3527.
