News

Melba Support Services has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Cancer Council Victoria to increase awareness and knowledge of cervical screening among people with disability. 

The funding will be used to improve access to cervical screening for people aged 24 to 74, along with their families and key supports through education and support. 

Melba will host a series of information events across Victoria later this year to highlight how Melba and its complex health nurses can support people through the process.  Topics covered will include:

• What is cervical cancer? 

• What does a cervical screening involve? 

• What options are available? 

• How do I book a cervical screening? 

This information is tailored to the needs of people with disability and will provide pathways for people who may require additional support to access this vital screening.  

People with disability have consistently reported barriers to cervical screening, such as physical accessibility issues, communication challenges, and a lack of appropriate information. National research also shows that people with disability are less likely to participate in regular cervical screening, often due to limited access to clear, accessible information and tailored support. 

Melba will work closely with our ARROW self-advocacy groups, local councils, disability service providers and community organisations to ensure the health education sessions reach as many people as possible. Our complex health team of registered nurses can support self-collection screening options where appropriate. 

Janet McLeod, Outcomes Specialist – Complex Health, said the grant marked an important step forward in preventative health care. 

“Our complex health team is really pleased to support people to take part in cervical screening. This move to preventative health care is a direction we have been wanting to take for a while,” she said. 

“Cervical screening is an important health check and helps find changes early, when treatment is easier and works better.  

“Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035 and, while this is exciting news, it will only happen if everyone has fair access to screening and the right support to take part.” 

Janet said the grant directly responded to what people with disability had been saying for years. 

“We know from listening to people we support and from research that people with disability are less likely to have regular cervical screening. This is often because information is hard to understand, services are not always accessible, or people do not get support that meets their needs,” she said. 

“This grant is important because it allows our complex health team of registered nurses to provide individualised support to people within Melba as well as friendly workshops and easy to understand information to people within and outside Melba.  

“Our goal is for people to feel safe, informed and supported to make choices about cervical screening that feel right for them – and to make sure no one is left behind as Australia works towards a future where cervical cancer is eradicated.” 

Melba is pleased to be able to contribute to increasing screening participation and ensuring people with disability have equitable access to vital preventative health care.