The state government's bold plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem is achievable, the head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Bendigo Health said.
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Dr Nicola Yuen said eliminating cervical cancer has been a focus of the World Health Organisation and cancer councils in recent years.
"Australia has had significant success with the HPV vaccination program and changes to the cervical cancer screening program that makes elimination achievable," Dr Yuen said.
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Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos recently tabled the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-24 in parliament, which aims to drive down the harm caused by all cancer.
The plan seeks to boost HPV vaccinations to vulnerable groups of young people and improve vaccination and screening reminders to eliminate cervical cancer.
"Every single Victorian woman lost to cervical cancer is one too many, that's why we're working to end cervical cancer and that means encouraging more women to get screened," Ms Mikakos said.
Cervical cancer screening is recommended every five years for women aged 25 to 74 years, including women who have received the HPV vaccines.
It is recommended adolescents aged between nine and 18 years receive two doses of the HPV vaccine, with the optimal vaccination age around 12-13 years.
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Dr Yuen said the benefits of the National Immunisation Program's HPV vaccinations won't be seen until next decade.
"If you've completed your vaccine then you've got almost guaranteed immunity against the two particular strains of virus that cause cervical cancer," Dr Yuen said.
Ms Mikakos said the average cancer survival rate is 66 per cent in regional Victoria, compared to 70 per cent in Melbourne, with the government's plan to focus on closing this gap.
The new plan focuses on delivering more localised cancer treatment, telehealth and home-based care for regional Victorians.
Flexible use of the health workforce, including greater nurse-led care in regional Victoria also forms part of the plan.