World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day

Ending Cervical Cancer starts here: Vaccination, Screening and Treatment

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

The WHO strategy is simple but powerful: vaccination, screening, and treatment.

Here in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health and the Cancer Control Agency are developing a national plan to accelerate progress toward elimination and Health New Zealand delivers HPV immunisation, cervical screening, and treatment services for communities.

Why HPV immunisation matters

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that infects about 80% of people at some time in their lives. It’s passed on through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Most HPV infections get better on their own, however, they can cause a number of different cancers for all genders later in life and can also cause genital warts.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV. The virus can also cause head and neck cancer, and cancer in other parts of the body. About a third of all HPV cancers affect men.

Dr Christine McIntosh, Clinical Director Immunisation, says: “HPV immunisation is free for everyone aged 9 to 26 years. Most young people receive two doses at school in Years 7 or 8. If these are missed, it’s easy to catch up.”

Currently, HPV immunisation rates in Aotearoa are too low:

• 58.6% of 15-year-olds are fully immunised
• 67.2% have received their first dose

Dr McIntosh encourages parents and caregivers to ensure all young people are immunised and recommends anyone under 27 who hasn’t completed the course to visit their health provider.

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

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

HPV Primary Screening – A Game Changer

The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) now uses HPV primary screening in Aotearoa New Zealand, which detects the virus responsible for more than 95% of cervical cancers.

Since Health New Zealand introduced HPV primary screening on 12 September 2023 through to 30 September 2025, coverage has risen from 67% to 74.7%, with more than 790,000 people screened. Of these screens, 81% were self-collected samples, while clinician-collected samples remain essential when clinically indicated.

Emma Carstens, Auckland cervical screening nurse lead, says: “The option of self-testing has been a game changer. It’s quick, easy, and gives wāhine and whānau real choices. Linking screening with other services, like childhood immunisations, helps us meet people with where they’re at.”

Screening is recommended for people aged 25 to 69 and is free for:

• Māori and Pacific wāhine aged 25–69
• Women aged 30–69 who have never screened or haven’t screened in the last five years
• Community Services Card holders Follow-up testing is free for everyone.

Treatment and Follow-up Cervical Screening detects cell changes before they become cancer. If these changes are found early, they can be treated easily and cervical cancer can be prevented. If your HPV test shows abnormal results, you may need more tests or treatment. This can include a referral to a colposcopy clinic — a specialist cervix clinic where experts check your cervix closely and provide treatment if needed. Getting timely access to these clinics is vital to prevent cervical cancer. ENDS