Hepburn Shire's female GP's and women's health nurses are joining forces with SWISH and SWAT (Hepburn Shire women's health working groups) to promote the pap tests and lift the screening rate to 100 per cent.

"Cervical cancer is one of few cancers that can be prevented, so it's vital that all women aged between 18 and 70 who have ever been sexually active have regular pap tests," Springs Medical Centre doctor Erin Kelly said.

"They are essential, even after the cervical cancer vaccine."

According to the latest Australian Institute for Health and Welfare statistics, there were 715 new cervical cancer cases diagnosed in Australia in 2006, and 215 women died from the disease in 2007.

Pap tests are the only way to check the cervix for abnormal cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer.

If changes are found early via regular pap tests, treatment is usually simple and effective.

If changes remain unnoticed and untreated, a woman's risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer increases.

"We know that pap tests can be awkward, but the consequences of not having them can be so much worse," Hepburn Health Service women's health nurse Ally Parnaby said.

"Many women only go to see a doctor when they are sick rather than make an appointment to have a test done which is preventative.

"General practitioners and women's health nurses are very happy to see people taking control of their health by having their pap test done, so if you are due or overdue make an appointment today.

"Many women prefer a female practitioner when having a pap test done and, in Hepburn Shire, we are lucky to have a number of female GP's and women's health nurses."

The screening rate of Victorian women having pap tests for 2007-2008 was 62.3 per cent.

Hepburn Shire was slightly above average at 65 per cent, but it still means 35 per cent of women who are eligible are not getting screened.

To book a pap test, call the Spring's Medical Centre on 5348 2227, Creswick Medical Centre on 5345 8090, Dr Brian Hepper on 5345 2606, Clunes Health Service on 5345 3170 and the Hepburn Health Service Creswick site 5345 8165 or the Daylesford site on 5348 2523.