Scientists move closer to eliminating a major cancer

Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer within the next decade through widespread HPV vaccination and advanced screening programmes.

“It’s the first time that the WHO, and globally, we’ve said we’re going to eliminate a cancer,” said Karen Canfell, epidemiologist and cervical cancer researcher, describing the global significance of the effort.

Australia became the first country to introduce a national HPV vaccination programme in 2007 after scientists developed the Gardasil vaccine to prevent infections linked to cervical cancer. Since records began in 1982, cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in the country have both halved, while recent data showed no cases diagnosed in women under 25 in 2021. More than 80% of girls under 15 are vaccinated, and 85% of women in the key screening age group have undergone cervical screening. Researchers say Australia could meet its elimination target by 2035 or earlier, helping provide a model for countries around the world pursuing the same goal.