Today marks World Health Organization (WHO) Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, a global movement launched in 2020 when 194 countries, including New Zealand, committed to eliminating cervical cancer.

The WHO strategy focuses on three pillars: vaccination, screening and treatment.

In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health and the Cancer Control Agency are developing a national plan to accelerate progress towards elimination, while Health New Zealand delivers HPV immunisation, cervical screening and treatment services.

HPV immunisation is free for everyone aged 9 to 26, with most young people receiving two doses at school in Years 7 or 8.

Dr Christine McIntosh, Health New Zealand clinical director immunisation, said anyone under 27 who had missed doses should visit their health provider.

“HPV immunisation is free for everyone aged 9 to 26 years,” McIntosh said.

“It’s important that all our young people are immunised so we can eliminate cervical cancer in Aotearoa,” she said.

Current HPV immunisation rates remain low, with 58.6% of 15-year-olds fully immunised and 67.2% having received their first dose.

The HPV vaccine is available at community pharmacies, general practices, Hauora Māori providers and Pacific providers.

The National Cervical Screening Programme now uses HPV primary screening, which detects the virus responsible for more than 95% of cervical cancers.

Since HPV primary screening was introduced on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, coverage has increased from 67% to 74.7%, with over 790,000 people screened.

Of these screens, 81% were self-collected samples, while clinician-collected samples remain essential when clinically indicated.

Auckland cervical screening nurse lead Emma Carstens said self-testing had been a game changer.

“It’s quick, easy, and gives wāhine and whānau real choices,” Carstens said.

Screening is recommended for people aged 25 to 69, and is free for Māori and Pacific wāhine, women aged 30 to 69 who have never screened or haven’t screened in five years, and Community Services Card holders.

Follow-up testing is free for everyone.

Cervical screening detects cell changes before they become cancer, allowing early treatment and prevention.

If HPV test results are abnormal, further tests or treatment may be required, including referral to a colposcopy clinic.

Timely access to these clinics is vital to prevent cervical cancer.

More information is available at health.govt.nz.