First Pacific nation reaches WHO cancer elimination goal
EMBARGOED Saturday 16 March 2024
The tiny and remote island nation of Tuvalu is the first in the Pacific to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) global screening goal for cervical cancer elimination with 76 per cent of eligible women screened.
In 2018 the WHO set a global goal of screening 70 per cent of women aged 30 to 49 for cervical cancer as part of its strategy for elimination of the disease. In 2021Family Planning Australia, the Tuvalu Family Health Association and the Tuvalu Ministry of Health established a national cervical screening and treatment program with funding from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program.
Family Planning Australia International Programme Director Anne Stuart said it was remarkable to provide support and training to a country which previously had next to no cervical screening and see it become a world leader in screening.
"Tuvalu is now aiming to screen 100 per cent of eligible women in an expanded age range of 30 to 55 years - with repeat screening every five years," Ms Stuart said.
"This is an outstanding achievement for women's health in the region. Tuvalu's nurses led the screening and treatment locally after training from Family Planning Australia nurses.
"The screening model supported nurses to train women in self-collection. We know this is a far more acceptable and private method of cervical screening for many women. We also used a model of testing which gives women screening results within the hour, so if treatment is required it can take place immediately - avoiding the need for a return trip. This is vital in places like Tuvalu where people are living remotely, and the nation stretches across 9 separate islands."
The cervical screening project is supported by Cepheid and other technical partners including the WHO and Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC).
Tuvalu Family Health Association Programme Officer Fenuatapu Mesako worked alongside Family Planning Australia and said, "This testing and treatment program will contribute to the elimination of cervical cancer in Tuvalu. Family Planning Australia's dedication and technical assistance empowered Tuvalu to emerge as a pioneer in the Pacific, accomplishing the milestone of screening 76 per cent of women for cervical cancer.
"Together we've surpassed goals and set a shining example of collaborative achievement and a commitment to women's health."
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women. Cervical cancer is considered a preventable disease with more than 95 per cent of cases caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Tuvalu also runs an HPV vaccination program with 79 per cent of the eligible population having received their first dose.
In Australia 68 per cent of women aged 25 to 74 are screened for cervical cancer.
The Australian Government is making a new investment of $12.5 million to the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC) as part of the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative.
This investment will connect Australia's world-leading cervical cancer expertise with governments across the region to expand screening and treatment and build health workforce capacity. This partnership complements Australia's existing support through the ANCP program and cervical cancer screening from sexual and reproductive health initiatives.
Media enquiries:
0402 880 653 E: media@fpnsw.org.au W: https://www.fpnsw.org.au
