THE Mobile Women’s Health Service will be passing through the Southern Downs in the coming weeks.
Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) would like to remind women who have had the cervical cancer vaccine that it is recommended they continue to get pap smears.
DDHHS Mobile Women’s Health Nurse Kath Anning said that many women did not know that it was recommended to continue getting pap smears after the vaccine.
“All women who have ever had sex are recommended to commence having pap smears between the ages of 18 and 20 years, or two years after first having sex, whichever is later, even if they have had the cervical cancer vaccine,” Ms Anning said.
“The vaccine provides effective protection against four types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause an abnormal pap smear result but does not protect against all the HPV types.
“A pap smear every two years can prevent the most common forms of cervical cancer in up to 90 per cent of cases and is the best protection against cervical cancer.”
The service is free and confidential and is available to all women.
Ms Anning also provides a range of other services including breast awareness and sexual health screening, as well as advice for issues such as continence, menopause, contraception and general well-being.
The clinics will be conducted at:
* Warwick on Wednesday, 21 October at the hospital from 9am to 3pm;
* Stanthorpe on Thursday, 22 October at the hospital from 9am to 3pm; and
* Clifton on Tuesday, 27 October from 9am to 3pm.
Appointments are necessary. For an appointment in Warwick contact the hospital on 4660 3841 or Stanthorpe 4683 3460 or Clifton 4697 3097.
