Australia on track to eliminate cervical cancer

The new data, confirmed by the Australian Ministry of Health, shows that national cervical cancer rates have continued their dramatic decline, with the rate falling to 6.3 cases per 100,000 women in 2021 – down from 6.6 per 100,000 the previous year.

In a historic milestone, the report recorded no cervical cancer diagnoses in women under 25 for the first time since national records began in 1982.

Survival rates are also climbing. The five-year survival rate increased to 76.8 per cent for the period 2017–2021, up from 73.9 per cent in 2012–2016, the Australian Ministry of Health cited in its release of the findings.

The report, produced by the Centre for Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control, credited Australia’s early adoption of HPV vaccines for girls and young women, as well as the transition from pap smears to more accurate cervical screening, as key drivers of progress.

However, the Ministry of Health cautioned that both HPV vaccination rates and cervical screening participation have dipped slightly in recent years, warning that “more work needs to be done” to maintain momentum.

A major bright spot has been the uptake of the self-collection option for cervical screening. According to the Australian Ministry of Health, the self-collect method has proven particularly popular among under-screened groups – including First Nations communities, multicultural populations, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability, and those living in regional and remote areas.

The Albanese Government’s ‘Own It’ campaign, which was funded to raise awareness of self-collection among these communities, led to a 45 per cent increase in awareness among target audiences.

To further drive elimination, the government has committed $59 million to support the National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Australia, the Ministry confirmed. The funding is aimed at boosting screening participation, improving equitable access, and reducing cancer rates nationwide.

Australia is also exporting its expertise through the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC), supported by the Australian Government and the Minderoo Foundation, to help other countries prevent and treat the disease.

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Rebecca White said Australia was leading the world but could not afford to slow down.

“Australia is leading the world in cervical cancer elimination, but we must maintain momentum to make this goal a reality,” Assistant Minister White said.

“The [Anthony] 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.”

The Australian Ministry of Health reiterated that while the nation is poised to make history, sustained public health effort remains essential over the coming decade.