Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Monday of this week I had the pleasure of attending the launch event for National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. The Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, addressed the launch, as did the CEO of the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, Vicky Darling. It was wonderful to hear that we're on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, but there's a gap between this goal and the community's understanding of the disease and how to prevent it.

A new poll released on Monday showed that 43 per cent of Australians do not believe that vaccination could prevent cervical cancer, despite it being one of the most powerful prevention strategies. The survey also showed that 32 per cent of Australians did not identify screening as a prevention strategy. This number must be reduced. We know that the national cervical program has halved the number of deaths from cervical cancer. In my electorate of Holt, only 41 per cent of women have been screened for cervical cancer, one of the lowest rates in this country. Screening saves lives, and I encourage everyone in my community to get screened. Make sure your kids receive their full course of HPV vaccinations and let's make cervical cancer history by 2035.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.