Did you know only 51% of eligible First Nations women had a Cervical Screening Test in the last 5 years, compared to 78% of the total population
First Nations women are also 2 times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3.4 times more likely to die from cervical cancer compared to the total population.
To increase cervical screening awareness and participation rates among First Nations women and people with a cervix, we have created new, tailored cervical screening resources.
The project is called Swish with your sistas in a nod to the motion of a self-collection swab taking a Cervical Screening Test sample. Swish is a ‘sista’ piece to BreastScreen Australia’s initiative Screen with your sistas.
Together they deliver one important message: screening is women’s business because it saves lives.
The new Swish with your sistas resources were created in close consultation with First Nations women across the country to ensure messaging is culturally safe, respectful, purposeful, clear, and resonates with community.
You can find digital versions of the resources on the dedicated Swish website – www.health.gov.au/cervical-screening – including posters, brochures, animations, fact sheets and social media tiles.
The resources can be used to:
- engage and raise awareness of cervical screening
- start and guide clinical conversations
- provide written instructions on how to do the self-collect test
- reassure and provide information for patients who want to know more.
Reaching and empowering First Nations women and people with a cervix who are overdue for screening or who have never screened can save lives.