BALLARAT resident Lucas Ellis’ “tireless campaign” to raise awareness about cervical cancer screening has been nominated as one of the reasons for the rising number of women taking the pap test.
Mr Ellis lost his wife Melissa to cervical cancer in 2010.
The latest data released by the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry (VCCR) reveal that, compared with 2008-09, an additional 735 pap tests were taken in Ballarat over the 2009-10 period.
The figures are also positive for the Grampians, with 1167 more pap tests taken in the region over the same period.
PapScreen Victoria community programs manager Hiranthi Perera said having a pap test every two years was the best preventative measure a woman could take in the fight against cervical cancer.
“The standout local government area within the Grampians region was Ballarat, with an additional 735 pap tests taken over the 2009-10 period,” Ms Perera said.
“We know there has been a number of strategies that have been implemented in the Ballarat region and part of that is Lucas’s story.
In her memory: Melissa Ellis
“He has really been instrumental in increasing the number of women screening, particularly in the Ballarat region.”
Ms Perera said the father of two was doing a “really good job”.
“He is using Melissa’s story in a positive light, which is what Melissa wanted and he is going through her wishes,” she said.
“We are really grateful for the time and effort that he has put in the campaign.”
Mr Ellis said the news was a comfort.
“It is great news,” Mr Ellis said.
“It is something Melissa wanted to do: create awareness and prevention as soon as she was diagnosed.”
Mr Ellis, who has been campaigning for more local women to undergo cervical-cancer screening, said he hoped other children did not have to suffer as his own did.
“It is a little bit of a comfort that other young women are not missing out on their future,” he said.
“Unfortunately Tayla, 14, and Hudson, 6, had to experience what no children should.”
However, at just 54.8 per cent, Ballarat remains behind the statewide figure of 60.7 per cent of women taking the test.
Ms Perera said when it came to cervical health there was still a long way to go in the Grampians region.
“In 2009-10, around 56 per cent of eligible women within the region had a pap test, which means almost half still aren’t screening regularly,” she said.
Ms Perera said that in Victoria, 90 per cent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer did not partake in regular cervical screening.
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