28/11/2025
is on track to become the first country in the world to eliminate , thanks to the powerful combination of , equitable , and the critical role of primary care.
▪️ A new report from the Centre for Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control highlights continued declines in cervical cancer rates - reaching 6.3 per 100,000 women in 2021 - and, remarkably, zero cases in women under 25 that year for the first time since records began in 1982. This is directly attributed to the impact of the free program for ages 9 to 25.
▪️ Primary Care is credited as a driving force behind this progress, from decades of delivery to today’s HPV-based screening and patient education. Self-collection options have been particularly transformative for under-screened and marginalized groups.
▪️ The report also flags challenges: declines in HPV vaccination coverage, falling screening participation, data gaps for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and access barriers such as out-of-pocket costs and provider shortages. To stay on track for 2035, Australia must strengthen equitable vaccination, enhance school-based programs, broaden access to self-collection, and improve data systems and treatment monitoring.
Why this matters globally:
▪️ Australia’s trajectory demonstrates what is possible when a country aligns policy, infrastructure, and community engagement with World Health Organization’s global call to eliminate cervical cancer. It shows that elimination is not aspirational - it is achievable. The lessons extend far beyond Australia: strong vaccination programs, equitable screening, culturally sensitive outreach, and primary care empowerment remain the pillars of success.
For countries building their own elimination pathways, Australia provides a blueprint rooted in science, prevention, and health equity.
