Cardinia Casey Community Health Service is running extra pap clinics until the end of October to try to lift the number of Casey women having regular tests from 59.9per cent.

Biennial testing can prevent nine out of 10 cervical cancers, according to PapScreen Victoria.

Community nurse Leonie Sierakowski said

the discomfort of being tested was worth putting up with to avoid cervical cancer and most women felt relieved after taking a test.

"People may find the test embarrassing or awkward, but if they have to have treatment, the treatment will be a lot more uncomfortable," she said.

Greater community awareness of the importance of regular tests would lead to more people taking them, she said.

"With our newly arrived or migrant populations, they may lack awareness or not know where they can access the test.

"It's also something that is very easily put off - people need to make time for the test."

Despite a vaccine being made available to young women in recent years, all women needed to continue regular tests, she said.

"There is some misconception among people in midlife and beyond, believing that their child-bearing years are over and so they don't need screening.

"But of course, that is the most critical time we need to be screening."

Younger women also needed to persist with tests despite the vaccine.

"The vaccine came in for younger women recently, so they sometimes believe the extra protection means they don't need to have the tests. But it is important that they continue to have the tests as well," Ms Sierakowski said.

Casey residents can book tests on 59906789.