Australia Leads the Way in Eliminating Cervical Cancer in the Indo-Pacific
Australia is making significant strides in the battle against cervical cancer and could soon eliminate the disease as a public health concern. Recent data reveals that Australia has a cervical cancer diagnosis rate of 6.5 per 100,000 women annually, with an estimated 942 new cases and 222 deaths in 2022. These figures highlight the country’s progress towards meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of fewer than four diagnoses per 100,000 women each year.
The key to Australia’s success lies in its comprehensive HPV vaccination and cervical screening programs, which have proven highly effective in preventing and detecting cervical cancer. Furthermore, the release of the National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in November 2023 has set ambitious targets for HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and treatment.
Australia’s national HPV vaccination program plays a crucial role in this elimination journey, with approximately 80% of girls and 77% of boys fully vaccinated by the age of 15 in 2020. By vaccinating both genders, Australia aims to provide wider protection against cervical cancer within communities. However, screening remains essential for individuals over the age of 25, even for those who have received the HPV vaccine.
While Australia’s success in combating cervical cancer is commendable, the broader Indo-Pacific region still faces higher rates of the disease. For instance, in Timor-Leste, there were 25.6 cases of cervical cancer for every 100,000 people in 2020.
The Indo-Pacific region’s higher rates of cervical cancer can be attributed to various factors, including countries’ levels on the Human Development Index and their allocation of resources toward preventative health measures like HPV vaccination and cervical screening. However, there are promising signs that other countries in the region can replicate Australia’s success.
Partnerships such as Program ROSE, which has already screened over 25,000 women in Malaysia, and the recently announced Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC) with the Australian government and partnering organizations, aim to support the implementation of HPV vaccination programs, screening programs, and increased access to treatment across the Indo-Pacific. These initiatives build upon the successful Eliminating Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific project.
Addressing the inequity of access to adequate screening in Australia and the Indo-Pacific, the country has introduced a new policy allowing eligible individuals to choose between having a sample taken by a healthcare provider or taking their own sample using a soft swab. This self-collection method, supported by linkage to follow-up care, ensures that more women and individuals with a cervix can participate in screening, potentially saving lives.
It is crucial to emphasize that cervical cancer is an almost entirely preventable disease. By meeting the WHO’s targets for low- and lower-middle-income countries, modeling predicts that more than 14 million cervical cancer deaths can be averted by 2070, and over 62 million by 2120.
While Australia leads the way in eliminating cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific, there is still much work to be done to address the inequities within Australia and globally. The country’s success serves as an inspiration and sets a benchmark for other nations to follow. With continued investment in comprehensive vaccination and screening programs, along with equitable access to these interventions, the Indo-Pacific region has the potential to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.
In the fight against this devastating disease, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to ensuring access for all will be vital. Through these collective efforts, the Indo-Pacific can join Australia in its remarkable journey towards eliminating cervical cancer once and for all.
