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13 February, 2012

Valentine’s Day & Pap Tests: What do they share in common?

Valentine’s Day. It’s a celebration of love; traditionally, romantic love... This year on the tail of a recent Newspoll survey, the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF) is urging Australian women to remember themselves with a caring gesture to their most feminine parts on Valentine’s Day, by committing to make a date with their doctor for a Pap test.

Conducted in January 2012, the Newspoll survey* reveals over 920,000 Australian women (13%) have never had a Pap test, despite the introduction of widespread Pap testing more than 20 years ago. It also shows 40% are not having regular Pap tests every two years as recommended.

In support of this Valentine’s Day message of encouragement from the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, Dr Ginni Mansberg, resident doctor on Seven Network’s Sunrise and Morning Show, says it’s time for Australian women to treat this precious part of their body with the same level of TLC they lavish on the rest of their body parts; face, skin, hair, fingers and toes!

“Admittedly not as pleasant as a pedicure, a facial, or a body wrap, but a Pap test is as much about looking after yourself as a visit to your beauty therapist or local spa! But most importantly, Pap tests can be life-saving. They are the best way to find the early stages of cervical disease which could one day turn into cancer if left undetected or untreated,” she says.

The survey found that two popular occasions for ‘personal and intimate grooming’ are Valentine’s Day and Pap test appointments.

Results reveal two-in-five Australian women (42%) have some form of personal grooming lined up in preparation for Valentine’s Day this year with the majority of these reaching for the wax or shaver:

– 21% will ‘tidy up’ their bikini line area or have a ‘Brazilian’
– 37% will wax, shave or have laser hair removal treatment on their legs
– 25% will style their hair by visiting a hairdresser or with a ‘DIY hairdo’
– 11% will have a manicure or pedicure
The survey also showed that of the Australian women who have Pap tests, nearly all (97%) plan some type of ‘personal grooming’ in preparation for their Pap test:
– 28% organise some form of ‘downstairs grooming’ – from a trim or bikini line ‘tidy up’ to even a ‘Brazilian’
– 47% will wax, shave or laser their legs
– 29% make sure they have a morning appointment with their doctor
– 37% select certain underwear for the occasion
– 32% plan their wardrobe for the day by wearing certain clothing

“These findings don’t surprise me at all. As a GP, and as a woman, I know how women of all ages can be conscious of how they look – particularly when we’re in a vulnerable position, like having a Pap test.

“By setting a Pap test date around Valentine’s Day, it’s is an easy reminder and a great personal commitment to yourself. Personal grooming is a special priority for many women on both occasions, so it means they’ll already be feeling and looking great, and the experience will be done and dusted for another two years!

“I’ve had so many patients who have postponed having a Pap test, usually out of embarrassment, only to return an abnormal result when they eventually get around to it. Then of course they kick themselves because the earlier you detect an abnormality, the better the outlook,” said Dr Mansberg.

Since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991, the death rate from cervical cancer has almost halved, but unfortunately 40% of Australian women still do not have regular Pap tests every two years.

The most recent Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) figures show 2.6 million Australian women are putting off this crucial test. As a consequence, over 700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and four women lose their lives to the disease every week in Australia.

“These figures are very concerning. The fact is the majority of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer have not had Pap tests. This is frightening and is a reason why education on the devastating effects of missing Pap tests is critical to help reduce the number of cancer cases each year,” said Joe Tooma, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF).

“The ACCF ultimately wants to see the end of cervical cancer altogether. With preventative measures like Pap tests and the HPV vaccine, Australian women have the best chance to protect themselves from cervical disease.

“As the ACCF’s scientific advisor and inventor of the HPV vaccine, Professor Ian Frazer often says, cervical cancer is now a largely preventable disease,” added Mr Tooma.

Issued by Catalyst Communication Consulting Limited on behalf of the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation with sponsorship from Hologic (Australia) Pty Ltd.
For more information or to coordinate an interview with Dr Ginni Mansberg, contact:
Andrea Brady, Catalyst Communication Consulting Limited
Tel. +64 21 977 688 or 0424 525 932
Email. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For information on the ACCF, please contact:
Leisa Ashton, ACCF marketing manager
Tel. (07) 3177 1099 or 0421 716 551
Email. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

27 January, 2012

ACCF wins Swisse Vitamins and The Priceline Sisterhood Competition

The Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF) is thrilled to be announced as the charity nominated by the winner of the Swisse Vitamins and The Priceline Sisterhood competition. Winner Megan Stace, a Weight Loss Consultant from Seven Hills NSW, won $5000 and had the opportunity to nominate a charity from the six Priceline Sisterhood charities to win $50,000.

The recent promotion saw $10 donated to The Priceline Sisterhood's participating charity partners for every Swisse vitamin product purchased in store at Priceline. Priceline customers had the opportunity to select the participating Priceline Sisterhood charity of their choice to receive the $10 donation. At the conclusion of the offer, one customer's entry was drawn and $50,000 donated to their selected charity. The selected customer also received $5,000 in prize money from Priceline.

"We are very fortunate to be able to receive the cervical cancer vaccination in Australia and given the opportunity, I wanted to help the ACCF provide this life saving vaccination to other women, no matter where they lived.” Ms Stace said. “Being a non-government funded foundation, I wanted to ensure the ACCF has the resources & opportunity to continue their hard work in creating awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention here in Australia and to also supply the vaccine and treatment for free to developing countries."

ACCF CEO, Joe Tooma said, “It costs approximately $50 to vaccinate a girl or $10 to screen a woman for cervical cancer so winning $50,000 will go a long way in helping ACCF to expand its work not only in Australia, but in countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and Kiribati where cervical cancer is one of the leading cancer killers of women.”

ACCF would like to thank the Priceline Sisterhood, Swisse Vitamins and Megan for making this possible.

ACCF is a non-government funded organisation that works to create awareness of cervical cancer in Australia and make free treatment and vaccine available to women in developing countries. For more information please visit www.accf.org.au or call Leisa Ashton on 0421 716 551 for media enquiries.

16 December, 2011

Gardasil for Boys gets PBAC approval

The Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF) today said that it was thrilled to hear that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has accepted a revised bid to have adolescent males vaccinated with the HPV vaccine, Gardasil.

At present, in Australia only adolescent girls aged 12-13 are eligible for the free vaccine. Gardasil protects against genital warts and strains of HPV which causes cervical cancer in women and a range of other cancers in men such as neck, anal and penile cancer.

ACCF CEO Joe Tooma said “because a significant number of adolescent girls have not been receiving the vaccination, it is particularly important to vaccinate boys as well, as this will help protect girls who have not received the vaccination in future years.”

“It might also raise the awareness of the community that cervical cancer prevention should be an issue for men and women and that we can no longer leave the burden of responsibility for such an important health issue to rest on women’s shoulders alone. It really is everybody’s business to protect our mothers, sisters, daughters and aunties.”

For more information on ACCF's work please visit www.accf.org.au or for media enquiries please contact Leisa Ashton, 07 3177 1099 or 0421 716 551.

29 November, 2011

Solomon Islands can lead Pacific in cervical cancer vaccine

In the Solomon Islands, cervical cancer is the number one cancer killer of women, far ahead of breast cancer and lung cancer. Almost all cervical cancer has been shown to be caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which is very common and is spread between men and women by sexual contact. Four out of five people all around the world will be exposed to HPV during in their lives. The HPV anti-cervical cancer vaccine is now available which can prevent 70-80% of cervical cancers. It is the first time in the world that a vaccine has been produced which can prevent cancer.

The vaccine is very safe and effective with more than 80 million doses already given around the world. Vaccination programs are usually carried out in schools and the World Health Organisation recommends that girls aged 9 to 13 years should be given priority to get the vaccine. Each girl must receive three doses over a period of six months for it to be most effective. It is anticipated that the vaccines will be available through a school-based program, most likely to girls in standard three or four. There may also be some vaccine available through community health clinics for a small number of girls who do not receive it at school.
Mr. Joe Tooma CEO of Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation said “There will be an awareness campaign for teachers and students and parents to explain how important this vaccine is for saving women's lives. Axios, which will be the donor of the vaccine requests that parents sign a consent form, which is a bit unusual in Solomon Islands. This is not because there is any problem, but simply because we want girls and their parents to have sufficient information and awareness.”

Mister Lester Ross, the Permanent Secretary of Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services has encouraged his senior departmental officers give full support to a partnership with the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation to commence an early implementation anti-cervical cancer vaccination program by May 2012, which could lead to a comprehensive program for the whole Solomon Islands within 4 or 5 years

A World Health Organisation report from January 2010 estimates that over the next 15 years the rates of death from cervical cancer in the Solomon Islands will more than double. With an effective anti-cervical cancer vaccination program in place it may be possible to save the lives of hundreds of Solomon Islands wives and mothers. A cervical cancer vaccination program as proposed by Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation would make sure that the death rate of women from cervical cancer starts to reduce over the next 15 years rather than increase as predicted.

Mr. Joe Tooma and Dr. Danielle Prime from Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation organised a forum held yesterday at the Heritage Park hotel which enabled experts from the Solomon Islands with experience including cervical cancer, public-health and children's vaccination programs to discuss with effectiveness and sustainability of anti-cervical cancer vaccinations.
Following the forum, it is suggested that a memorandum of understanding may be signed between the Ministry of Health and Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation allowing vaccine which would have a retail value in Australia of over AU$1million to be donated for the initial phase of the vaccination program.

The Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation has already commenced successful vaccination programs in Nepal, Bhutan and Kiribati. The Chief Executive Officer of Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation Mr. Joe Tooma is visiting Solomon Islands for meetings with the Ministry of Health. He said that the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation wanted to support a vaccination program in the Solomon Islands because the country has such a good record of success in vaccination programs which has been built gradually over the past 40 years.

23 November, 2011

ACCF – VolunTOURing Adventure Travel – Nepal April 2012

Join the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation’s adventure of a lifetime travelling to Nepal in April 2012.

If you've been thinking about a VolunTOURing adventure in Nepal, now is the time to get planning!

ACCF is leaving for Nepal on 6 April 2012 to continue working on the community project at our women's clinic in Banepa (near Kathmandu). We would love you to join us and see firsthand how our clinic is progressing since our trip in March 2011. You can come and be part of the fantastic work we are doing in Nepal.

This is what some of our previous VolunTOURers said:

"Apart from the obviously awesome experience of working alongside Nepalese workers at the clinic, being in the Himalayas amongst villagers and the majesty of the Anapurnas, the standout for me was the great care, warmth and camaraderie of fellow travellers, team leaders and the Nepalese support teams. This made the whole trip a joy from start to finish." Claudje

“The ACCF Nepal 2011 tour was a most memorable and wonderful experience. Travelling in this beautiful country with like-minded people was a privilege. A big thankyou to ACCF for making it all possible.” Jeanne & Greg

There are still places available - so you can join us on our adventure - it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore Nepal and engage in some vital volunteer work. You can come on your own, bring a friend or band together with some work colleagues for a team challenge.

Do you know that every two minutes a woman dies from cervical cancer somewhere in the world? Death from cervical cancer can be reduced dramatically with proper screening and vaccination programs.

Our trip will result in upgrading and finishing off our existing clinic building to allow additional clinic facilities for women who would otherwise have no access to medical treatment.

On completion of the project work, we will enjoy a fully supported camping based trek into the Annapurna region to beautiful Gurung villages and will experience some of the most stunning mountain scenery on earth. The trip will last for 17 days including 3 days volunteer work and 6 days trekking (plus flights to/from Kathmandu), departing 6 April 2012 and returning 22 April 2012..

We will explore the vast range of Nepal’s cultural variety, from the bustling and vibrant capital of Kathmandu, trekking through villages in the Himalayas, camping and sleeping in traditional guesthouses . We will visit the ancient city of Bhaktapur and explore its magnificent architecture and see their finest pottery which is still made in the time-honoured traditional way. We will have a chance to get our hands dirty, or paint splattered by helping to put the finishing touches on a women's screening clinic at Banepa.

The cost of $5,570 (approx) covers air travel, accommodation, most meals, and includes a $1000 contribution towards the vital work ACCF is doing for the women of Nepal. Each participant can choose to fundraise the $1000 contribution or make a tax deductible donation. ACCF can support your fundraising efforts with ideas, tools and resources.

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease, but often the treatments and vaccines are unavailable in developing countries. ACCF is working in Nepal to bring the HPV vaccine to girls who otherwise would not have access to it. We also support cervical cancer awareness and screening clinics for women. Join us for our VolunTOURing adventure in Nepal and help save lives today.

For more information:
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ring Julie Weston on 07- 3177 1099.
Trip notes are available on our website www.accf.org.au
The ACCF youtube video with lots of great images is available at http://youtu.be/EUkW4C1dCBc.

22 November, 2011

Women in developing countries to receive the cervical cancer vaccine

The Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF) today said that it was thrilled to hear that the GAVI Alliance will fund the cervical cancer vaccine in nine developing countries which could protect up to 2 million women and girls by 2015.

Cervical cancer is the number one cancer killer of women in the developing world and kills over 250,000 women every year. That is one woman every 2 minutes.

Since 2007, ACCF has been working in developing countries such as Nepal and Bhutan to help make the HPV vaccine available to girls and also to facilitate screening clinics for women. If cervical cancer is detected early enough, it is easily treatable. To date, ACCF has facilitated the immunisation of about 70,000 girls which will help minimise the risk that these girls will develop cervical cancer.

ACCF CEO Joe Tooma said “To be eligible for the GAVI vaccine subsidy, the developing country must have already run a successful demonstration project for HPV vaccination and have an awareness education strategy in place. This is exactly the type of work of ACCF has been carrying out, helping to prepare the way for national vaccination programs in developing countries where cervical cancer is the biggest cancer killer of women."

Mr Tooma said, "The work that ACCF has been doing has been ground-breaking and we are thrilled that such a large organisation such as the GAVI Alliance has also seen the need and will also help these countries where the death of a woman from cervical cancer can have huge detrimental effects on the communities who depend on them."

Whilst it will be a number of years until the nine countries will be ready to run such large vaccination programs, ACCF is determined to ensure that these programs are implemented effectively in terms of helping these countries with being able to deliver the vaccines by training vaccinators, giving the communities education on cervical cancer and by ensuring the women are regularly screened. HPV vaccine will reduce the risk of cervical cancer by up to 80% but screening is still important, World Health Organisation estimates that screening a woman in a developing country even once in her lifetime can reduce her risk of dying from cervical cancer by about one third.

For more information on ACCF's work please visit www.accf.org.au or for media enquiries please contact Leisa Ashton, 0421 716 551.

ACCF in the Media

13 February, 2012, Mamamia.com.au: What do Valentine's Day and a Pap Test have in common?

29 January, 2012, The Sunday Telegraph: The Invincibles

8 December, 2011, Pro Bono Australia: Cervical Cancer Foundation "Exceeds Wildest Expectations"

2 December, 2011, Solomon Star News: Solomon Islands can lead Pacific in cervical cancer vaccine

20 October, 2011, The Courier Mail: Project Bhutan

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