Survivor’s warning amid concern over cervical screening uptake

A Highton woman who survived cervical cancer, but was left with a host of complications, is urging people to get tested amid concern over screening uptake.

Cervical cancer survivor Tracey Pickett at home in Highton. Picture: Brad Fleet

If it wasn’t for a routine test, Tracey Pickett may not be here today.

The Highton resident was feeling fit and healthy, but was diagnosed with cervical cancer after a routine pap smear in February 2012.

“I went in for my regular test feeling fine,” she said.

“I wasn’t overdue and my previous tests had all been negative, so I wasn’t expecting anything to come up.”

Ms Pickett went back in for more tests and was diagnosed with stage 2b cervical cancer aged 33.

She underwent chemotherapy and radiation and was given the all-clear in late 2012, but the ordeal meant she went into early menopause and caused numerous other issues, including with bone health.

The 45-year-old is urging all women and people with a cervix in regional Victoria to have their cervical screening test if they are due or overdue.

“It’s so important to do the test as soon as you are due, even if you are feeling healthy and don’t have any symptoms – you just never know,” she said.

“If I hadn’t gone in for my test when I did, I probably wouldn’t be here today.

“I was very vigilant, I was the person preaching it to friends even before I had (a bad result).

“It’s not fun, but it’s five minutes that could save your life.”

Cancer Council Victoria is reminding women about the importance of regular cervical screening, as new research shows knowledge about the test is low, with less than half of eligible regional Victorians surveyed aware they needed to screen every five years.

The Cervical Screening Test replaced the pap test in 2017 and looks for a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus) which causes almost all cervical cancers.

The test, which is similar to a pap smear, is offered every five years to women and people with a cervix aged 25-74.

Cancer Council Victoria head of screening early detection and immunisation Kate Broun said low knowledge of the test could impact participation, putting more people at risk.

“The Cervical Screening Test is the best way to protect yourself against cervical cancer, yet in Victoria around one third of eligible women and people with a cervix aren’t participating,” she said.

“If you haven’t done a Cervical Screening Test in a while, check in with your doctor to see if you’re due and discuss your testing options, including self-collection.

“This one test really could save your life.”

Cancer Council Victoria has recently launched a new campaign to increase awareness of

cervical screening in regional Victoria.

To find out more about cervical screening, visit cancervic.org.au/cervical.

Originally published as Survivor’s warning amid concern over cervical screening uptake