The Central Coast Community Women\u2019s Health Centre (CCCWHC) is encouraging women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 to take advantage of its free community cervical screening clinics, helping to improve participation in one of Australia\u2019s most effective cancer prevention programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than 300 women and people with a cervix in NSW are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Cervical cancer disproportionately affects younger women and in most cases occurs in people who have never screened or who are overdue for a screening test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCCWHC Head of Women\u2019s Health, Sophia Shippam, says increasing awareness and ensuring women have access to accurate information and supportive healthcare services is critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet we continue to see women diagnosed because they have never participated in screening or have delayed their test,\u201d says Sophia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe good news is that the Cervical Screening Test is more effective than the old Pap test and only needs to be completed every five years. By attending regular screening, women can identify potential issues early, often before cancer develops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that affects around 4 in 5 Australians at some point in their lives. While HPV often clears naturally, some types can cause changes to cervical cells that may develop into cancer if left undetected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCervical Screening looks for HPV before it has the opportunity to cause serious harm,\u201d says Sophia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMany people are surprised to learn that HPV is extremely common. Screening is not about judgement or risk factors; it\u2019s about protecting your health and ensuring any changes are identified early.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCCWHC is also encouraging women to learn about self-collection, a screening option now available through healthcare providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSelf-collection has been a game changer for many women who may have delayed screening due to discomfort, embarrassment, cultural reasons, previous trauma, or simply because life gets busy,\u201d adds Sophia<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe test is completed privately at one of our centre\u2019s (or at your regular GP or medical centre), using a simple swab inserted a few centimetres into the vagina. It is just as accurate as a clinician-collected test and gives women greater choice and control over their healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCCWHC is encouraging anyone who is due or overdue for screening to book into one of their free community cervical screening clinics at Woy Woy, Wyoming or Wyong. All screenings are conducted together with a trauma-informed Women\u2019s Health Nurse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Woy Woy:<\/strong> Wyong: <\/strong> Wyoming:<\/strong> Book your appointment today:<\/strong> ccwh.org.au\/womens-health-clinic<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Central Coast Community Women\u2019s Health Centre (CCCWHC) is encouraging women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 to take advantage of its free community cervical screening clinics,…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-9856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-events"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/07\/Wyoming-Clinic-3.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/feed\/podcast\/coffee-with-a-coastie","embedCode":"
Peninsula Women\u2019s Health Centre, 20 McMasters Rd Woy Woy
First Monday of each month. Next clinic: Monday 6 July<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
38a Pacific Hwy, Wyong 2259
*Please note this clinic is not our Northern\u2019s Women\u2019s Health Centre Third Monday of each month. Next clinic: Monday 20 July.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central Coast Community Women\u2019s Health Centre, 37 Maidens Brush Rd, Wyoming. By appointment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPrioritising Your Health: Free, Gentle Cervical Screening Clinics Across the Coast<\/a><\/blockquote>