The Cancer Society supports the WHO’s global goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 in Aotearoa through HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and early treatment.
WHO's global goal
New Zealand's government has signed up to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) initiative to eliminate cervical cancer by challenging countries to reach and maintain an incidence rate of below 4 per 100 000 women. It rests on three pillars and their corresponding goals:
- vaccination: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15;
- screening: 70% of women screened using a high-performance test by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45;
- treatment: 90% of women with pre-cancer treated and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed.
Vaccination against HPV
Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination protects against high-risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and a range of other head and neck and anogenital cancers.
It is safe, very effective and free for people aged 9 to 26 years. HPV vaccinations are provided to primary school-age children at participating schools. If children miss their vaccination in Year 8, vaccination is still available free through GPs and pharmacies until they turn 27.
Just 65% of the eligible population has received their first dose. We need to increase our HPV vaccination rates to over 90% to meet the WHO's global goal.
Screening
In September 2023, HPV screening every five years became the new method for cervical screening in Aotearoa New Zealand. HPV testing is a better first screening test than the old smear test. From a vaginal swab, screening looks for presence of HPV, which causes cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer. Having HPV does not mean you have cancer.
Get involved
You can learn more about our campaign and sign our open letter at the link below.
Together we can end cervical cancer
The WHO has downloadable resources you can use to support your activities to raise awareness of this campaign.