A world-first study reveals that without urgent, targeted action, cervical cancer will not be eliminated in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities until 2047, 12 years later than the government’s 2035 target.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. It is caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections but can be prevented through vaccination and screening.
In the study, published in Lancet Public Health, the researchers used existing data to project the date that cervical cancer will be eliminated amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, then modelled a variety of interventions to see which would have the biggest impact on elimination timings.
The researchers found that a targeted screening blitz, focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have never been screened before, could bring cervical cancer elimination forward to 2036, almost closing the 12-year gap.
Lead author Associate Professor Megan Smith, from the Cancer Elimination Collaboration at the University of SydneySchool of Public Health, said: “At current rates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will wait an extra generation to see cervical cancer eliminated in their communities – but the gap is not inevitable.
“Our research shows that a targeted screening blitz would almost entirely close the gap, protecting a whole generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.”
The study also reinforces the importance of Indigenous-led approaches, with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Health Workers and community leadership central to delivery.
Senior author Associate Professor Lisa Whop, a Wagadagam Gumulgal woman from Yardhura Walani, the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research at The Australian National University, said:
“Australia cannot claim success in cervical cancer elimination until Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples benefit equally. We need to act now.
At current rates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will wait an extra generation to see cervical cancer eliminated in their communities – but the gap is not inevitable.
Associate Professor Megan Smith
Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health
“This isn’t about inventing new solutions but backing what communities already know works. A concerted effort, funded by government and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, will help to overcome longstanding inequities in cervical cancer screening.”
The researchers recommend that specific interventions such as self-collection and community-based point-of-care testing should be used to make screening as accessible as possible.
Associate Professor Megan Smith said: “The gap we see in cervical cancer is not about biology – it’s about access. And access can be fixed. Self-collection is a game changer because it gives people real choice and means that women don’t necessarily have to go to a clinic to get tested.”
Associate Professor Lisa Whop said: “There is already good evidence that self-collection is helping to increase screening rates and with more investment and partnership it could be key to eliminating cancer within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within a generation.”
Research
Smith, Megan A., ..., Whop, Lisa J., ‘Accelerating cervical cancer elimination in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: a modelling study’ (Lancet Public Health, 2026)
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(26)00005-8
Declaration
Associate Professor Megan Smith, James Killen and Professor Karen Canfell have received funding through their institution from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for contracted work relating to the National Cervical Screening Program.
Professor Canfell is co-principal investigator of an investigator-initiated trial of HPV screening in Australia (Compass), which is conducted by the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC), a government-funded health promotion charity. The ACPCC has previously received equipment and a funding contribution for the Compass trial from the Australian Government, Roche Molecular Systems USA, and Micobix. Professor Canfell is also co-principal investigator on a major implementation program – Elimination Partnership for Cervical Cancer in the Indo-Pacific – which receives support from the Australian Government, the Minderoo Foundation, and equipment donations from Cepheid.
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