Checks for cervical cancer expected to fall

Peninsula Women's Health Centre co-ordinator Ms Kate Bradfield has warned that changes to subsidies for pathology services could affect the numbers of local women taking cervical cancer checks.

"This will act as a disincentive to women on low incomes and most of our clients or patients are on low incomes," Ms Bradfield said.

"We are concerned that these women may choose not to have this vital test because of cost and this could result in delayed diagnosis and even higher rates of cervical cancer amongst our patients," she said.

Senator Deborah O'Neill commented: "Pap tests save lives by detecting pre-cancerous cells.

"To skip regular pap tests poses the real danger that cervical cancer will develop.

"This government appears determined to slash away at the health safety net.

"It is putting women's health at risk by removing the bulk-billing incentive payments that are paid to pathologists who will be forced to pass the costs for a range of tests including pap smears onto patients."

Senator O'Neill said cuts to subsidies to pathology services which would result in women having to pay $30 for a pap test.

She said that other women's health centres on the Central Coast had also told her that many of their clients lived on low incomes and would put other daily essentials ahead of paying for the $30 life-saving pap test.

Media release, 14 Jan 2016

Scott Coombes, Office of Deborah O'Neill