A new report shows Australia is on track to become the first country to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.
The report from the Centre for Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control confirms rates of cervical cancer among Australian women continue to fall.
In 2021, the national cervical cancer rate decreased to 6.3 per 100,000, compared to 6.6 per 100,000 in 2020. For the first time since records began in 1982, there were no cervical cancer cases diagnosed in women under 25 in 2021.
Survival rates are also improving. The five-year survival rate rose to 76.8 per cent in 2017-2021, compared to 73.9 per cent in 2012-2016.
However, HPV vaccination rates and cervical screening participation have both declined slightly from previous years, indicating that more work needs to be done.
The report also found many women had taken up the self-collect option for cervical screening, including many who had previously never or rarely screened.
This option has been a game-changer for equity in cervical screening, proving to be popular in Australia's most under-screened groups - including the First Nations, multicultural, LGBTQIA+, disability, and regional and remote communities.
The Albanese Government funded 'Own It' campaign, designed to increase awareness of the self-collect option among under-screened communities, led to a 45 per cent increase in awareness in target audiences.
The Albanese Government committed $59 million to implement measures to support the National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Australia. These initiatives aim to boost participation, improve equity in access and reduce cervical cancer rates nationwide.
Australia is also helping other countries with cervical cancer control. The Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC), supported by the Australian Government and the Minderoo Foundation, uses Australian expertise to help other countries prevent and treat cervical cancer.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
"Australia is leading the world in cervical cancer elimination, but we must maintain momentum to make this goal a reality.
"The Albanese Government is determined to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035 and to ensure cervical screening is inclusive, accessible and effective.
"Australia's early adoption of HPV vaccines for girls and young women and timely switch to cervical screening rather than Pap smears have us well on track to achieve elimination and save more lives.
"But we must continue to improve equitable access to maintain rates of HPV vaccination and make sure everyone has access to cervical screening."
