Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer affects the cells of the cervix (entrance to the womb from the vagina) [1]. Anyone with a cervix may develop cervical cancer, including transgender and gender diverse people [2]. The biggest risk factor for cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV); almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with a cancer-causing type of HPV. The other main risk factor is smoking tobacco [3].

Cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females [4], though one of the most preventable types of cancer [1]. Currently, cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccination [5] and screening is carried out via the National Cervical Screening Program, which tests for HPV. The program invites females aged 25 to 74 years to get tested every five years via a health professional or self-collection [1]. While the National Cervical Screening Program has shown to improve incidence and mortality rates for the disease, evidence suggests that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females are under-screened [6].

Increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in cervical screenings can be achieved through improved access to cervical screening programs (particularly via Aboriginal Health Services) and prioritising community-led, culturally appropriate screening initiatives [7][8].

References

Australian Government Department of Health (2021). About the National Cervical Screening Program. Retrieved from: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/national-cervical-screening-program/about-the-national-cervical-screening-program

Cancer Council Australia (2024). Information for LGBTIQ people. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org.au/cervicalscreening/i-am-over-25/do-i-need-the-test/information-for-lgbtiq-people

Cancer Council Australia (2024). Types of cancer: cervical cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/cervical-cancer

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework report. Retrieved from: https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures

Whop, L.J., Butler, T.L., Brotherton, J.M.L., Anderson, K., Cunningham, J., Tong, A., Garvey, G. (2021). Study protocol: yarning about HPV vaccination: a qualitative study of factors influencing HPV vaccination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents in Australia. BMJ Open, 11(8). Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047890

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023). National Cervical Screening Program monitoring report 2023. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Dasgupta, P., Condon, J.R., Whop, L.J., Aitken, J.F., Garvey, G., Wenitong, M., Baade, P.D. (2021). Access to Aboriginal community-controlled primary health organizations can explain some of the higher pap test participation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in North Queensland, Australia. Frontiers in Oncology, 11. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.725145

Dasgupta, P., Aitken, J.F., Condon, J., Garvey, G., Whop, L.J., DeBats, C., Baade, P.D. (2020). Spatial and temporal variations in cervical cancer screening participation among Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, Queensland, Australia, 2008-2017. Cancer Epidemiology, 69(December 2020). Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2020.101849