Latest statistics
Incidence and mortality ratesAustralia
- In 2005, there were 734 cases of cervical cancer
- In 2006, 224 women died from cervical cancer
- In 2006-07, 61.5% of eligible women aged 20-69 had a Pap test
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are almost five times
more likely to die from cervical cancer than non-Indigenous women
Victoria
- In 2006, there were 160 new cases of cervical cancer
- In 2006, there were 37 deaths from cervical cancer
General statistics on Pap tests
- Regular two-yearly Pap tests can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer
by up to 90% in Australia, and save 1,200 Australian women dying from
the disease each year.
- In Australia, the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer has
dropped on average by 3.3% each year since organised screening began
in 1991 (1991-2005).
- Almost 90% of Victorian women who develop cervical cancer either never
had a Pap test or did not have them regularly in the 10 years prior to diagnosis.
- Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and is the third highest cause of cancer deaths. At least 80% of cancer deaths occur in developing countries, due to the lack of screening programs.
Screening rates
Screening participation of Victorian women by age on a two-year basis, 2000-2008
Source: Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry, Statistical Report 2008
| Age | 2000-01 | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 | 2003-2004 |
| 20-69 | 66.6% | 64.4% | 63.9% | 64.4% |
| 2004-05 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | |
| 65.0% | 63.4% | 63.1% | 62.3% |
Screening participation of Australian women by age on a two-year basis, 2000-2007
Source: AIHW statistical reports
| Age | 2000-2001 | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 | 2003-2004 |
| 20-69 | 61.0% | 61.0% | 60.7% | 60.7% |
| 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | |
| 61.0% | 60.6% | 61.5% |
Regional Victoria: Screening rates by Victorian DHS regions (2007-08)
Source: Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry, Statistical Report 2008
| Barwon South Western | 62.1% |
| Eastern Metropolitan | 65.2% |
| Gippsland | 61.0% |
| Grampians | 56.3% |
| Northern Western Metropolitan | 60.0% |
| Hume | 63.0% |
| Loddon | 60.8% |
| Southern Metropolitan | 63.9% |
For information on the current screening rates in Victoria, visit the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry website at www.vccr.org
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Lucy's story
I've always been very aware of the importance of regular Pap tests, as my Mum had early-stage cervical cancer in her 30s.
She encouraged me to start having regular Pap tests when I turned 18 and I followed her advice, albeit begrudgingly!
