In this third report on Australia’s progress towards the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, we have revised and updated our indicators to reflect our rapidly progressing cervical cancer prevention and control environment.
Our report documents for the first time that we have met the WHO and Australian 2030 elimination scale-up target for screening. Now that the first 5-year screening interval in the HPV-based program has elapsed, nationally we have reached the screening target of 70%. Inequity remains, however, with those living in very remote areas just below the target, and data still unavailable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
We are optimistic that Australia can address the ongoing challenges identified in this report by effectively implementing the national strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, noting its important emphasis on improving data quality and completeness and focus on equity.