Australia could be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer

Thanks to a government program that vaccinates children against the cancer-causing human papillomavirus, Australia could be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer.

According to a new study published by The Lancet, by 2028 fewer than four women in every 100,000 could be diagnosed with cervical cancer annually in Australia. The findings have determined that by 2066, less than one woman per year could receive the diagnosis.

Could #Australia become the first country to eliminate #cervicalcancer within the next 20 years if high-coverage #HPV vaccination and screening is maintained? New modelling study @TheLancetPH #IPVC2018 https://t.co/uNpzYLxkJQ pic.twitter.com/eQYfgVNsaP

— The Lancet (@TheLancet) October 3, 2018

Australia first introduced the Australian National HPV Vaccination Program (NHVP) in 2007 as a cost-free, three-dose vaccine for teenage girls. By 2013, the vaccination was offered to both sexes.

Research studies have determined that the program has successfully reduced HPV diagnoses by 77%.

“Of those adolescents in Australia who turned 15 years in 2016, 79% of girls and 73% of boys are fully vaccinated,” states the study.

According to the research, if high-coverage vaccination and screening is maintained, cervical cancer could be considered to be eliminated as a public health problem within the next 20 years.

1/2 Prof Margaret Stanley “Today we are poised to markedly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, with the vision of eventually eliminating it as a public health problem, using the combination of sustained high coverage HPV vaccination and screening with treatment” #IPVC2018 pic.twitter.com/j1LSi1iyc4

— Cancer Research (@CCNSWResearch) October 6, 2018

Research findings were presented at the International Papilloma Virus Conference earlier this week in Sydney.

During the conference, Professor Karen Canfell, Director of Research at Cancer Council NSW stated that in order for this vision to work, women must continue to participate in the National Cervical Screening program and both girls and boys need to continue to be vaccinated against HPV through the program.

“We will be paying special attention to the challenges of building on the Australian success in HPV control, in populations that are most vulnerable to HPV disease worldwide, including Indigenous communities and those in low and middle income countries,” said Dr. Silvia de Sanjose, President of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS).

Click here for more information and to read the study.