Stay IN this October and host a Girls’ Night In to raise awareness and funds to beat women’s cancers.
It’s a great way to educate women about how they can prevent and detect cancer in a positive and engaging way, to encourage each other to take action.
Girls’ Night In hosts are encouraged to spend a night in with friends to raise awareness of women’s cancers and to donate the money usually spent on a night out, to the Cancer Council instead.
Cancer Council urges all women to make the time to visit their GP for a free Pap smear every two years, with research showing only half of eligible women are currently completing the test. It’s essential in the early detection of cervical cancer.
Recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures show participation in the National Cervical Screening Program has been trending downward since 2008*.
Nearly all cervical cancer occurs as a result of the human papilloma virus (HPV) – though not all HPV infections lead to cervical cancer.
If every woman aged between 18 and 70 years had a Pap smear every two years, or within two years of becoming sexually active, more than 90 per cent of cervical cancers could be prevented.
Even if a woman has received the HPV vaccination, it is still essential you have regular Pap smears as the HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of cancer-causing HPV.
Participating in Girls’ Night In is a fantastic way to raise the vital funds needed to progress cancer research, such as Professor Ian Frazer’s cervical cancer vaccine.
Professor Ian Frazer and his team received funding from Cancer Council Queensland through research grants, funds that were generated from fundraising events like Girls’ Night In.
Combined with regular Pap smears, the introduction of Professor Ian Frazer’s cervical cancer vaccine means women are able to take action to help prevent and detect cervical cancer.
Up to one third of all cancers can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle.
For more information on cancer prevention and early detection, visit www.cancerqld.org.au or contact the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.
To help support future cancer research, stay IN this October and host a Girls’ Night In! For information call 1300 65 65 85 or visit www.girlsnightin.com.au.
ENDS.
* In 2008/09, 59 per cent of women in the target population group (aged 20-69) were screened, in 2009/10 it dropped to 58 per cent, and in 2010/11, only 57 per cent of Australian women participated in the test.