As we mark Cervical Cancer Awareness Week Australia is making remarkable strides in the fight against cervical cancer and is on track to be the first country in the world to eliminate it altogether. This progress is thanks to a combination of accessible screening, vaccination, and high standards in lab testing—all working together to prevent new cases and save lives. With this momentum, experts believe Australia could potentially achieve this goal as early as 2028.
A significant part of this effort was the introduction of self-collection kits for cervical screening in July 2022. For many women, the option to screen themselves at home following doctors advice, makes the process much more comfortable and accessible. These self-collection kits represent a huge step forward, helping more women to engage in regular screening—a key to early detection. By catching abnormal cells before they develop into cancer, cervical screening can be lifesaving, especially with the convenience these kits offer.
By accrediting laboratories across Australia, NATA ensures that cervical screening tests meet high standards of accuracy and consistency. This trusted accreditation helps ensure that women can depend on their test results, making regular screening a powerful tool for safeguarding health.
But it’s not just about screening. Australia was also one of the first countries in the world to introduce a national HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination program, which began in 2007. HPV is the virus responsible for most cervical cancers, and vaccinating young people before they’re exposed to it has had a huge impact on infection rates. As a result, HPV infections have significantly dropped, setting the stage for a long-term decrease in cervical cancer cases.
These efforts align closely with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) goals to prevent cervical cancer worldwide by 2030. The WHO calls for vaccinating 90% of young girls, screening 70% of women, and ensuring that 90% of those diagnosed get timely treatment. Thanks to the combination of vaccination and improved screening, Australia is already well on its way to meeting these targets—and, in fact, leading the charge globally.
At the 2022 Accreditation Matters conference, Professor Marion Saville from the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer and Professor Karen Canfell from The Daffodil Centre highlighted the crucial role of accredited testing in this fight. They explained how organised screening programs, supported by NATA-accredited labs, have driven down cervical cancer rates in Australia, making it possible to dream of a future without this disease.
As we recognise Cervical Cancer Awareness Week from November 10-16, it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how close we are to reaching this ambitious goal. With continued focus on vaccination, accessible screening, and quality testing, we’re moving toward a world where cervical cancer could truly be a thing of the past.