Calls to Make Cervical Cancer Screening Free Gain Momentum

The National Centre for Women’s Health Research is advocating for the New Zealand government to make cervical cancer screening free for all individuals. This call arises as the Māori-led research centre, Te Tātai Hauora o Hine, celebrates its 20th anniversary this October. The center has been instrumental in promoting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing, which has been available since 2023. Currently, the National Cervical Screening Programme, which includes self-testing, is the only national screening programme that is not free for all residents of New Zealand.

Professor Bev Lawton ONZM, founder of the centre and the 2025 New Zealander of the Year, emphasized that the funding gap contradicts the country’s commitment to health equity. “HPV screening saves lives, it’s that simple,” she stated. “But cost is still a barrier for too many women. Every other major health screen in New Zealand is free, and there’s no reason cervical screening shouldn’t be. If we made HPV testing free, thousands more women would take part and we could prevent almost every case of cervical cancer. The science is clear, the system is ready, and the time is now.”

Dr. Kendall Stevenson, a senior research fellow at Te Tātai Hauora o Hine, echoed Lawton’s sentiments. She highlighted that while the centre celebrates its achievements over the past two decades, it simultaneously calls for additional support to eliminate cervical cancer. “Cervical cancer is preventable. No whānau should have to be impacted by cervical cancer because we have the tools to prevent it,” Stevenson said. “We just need support; we need screening to be free so that it takes away that cost and we can reach everyone that requires cervical cancer screening.”

The issue extends beyond individual women; it is a whānau issue as cervical cancer affects family lineage, or whakapapa. “How can we ignore that eliminating cervical cancer is the responsibility of everyone?” Stevenson asked, stressing the urgent need for funding.

New Zealand has made significant strides in adopting HPV self-testing as the primary screening method, becoming the first high-income country to do so. Despite this progress, Stevenson stated, “the time is now” for free screening, as the existing system is prepared to implement this change. She pointed out that if screening is not free, it raises immediate equity concerns, particularly given the current high cost of living. “The cost of a screening is an equity issue straight away,” she explained, noting that existing health disparities compound the challenge.

The HPV primary screening programme is not fully funded; the cost varies depending on the location of the test. Even clinics offering free screenings may impose additional charges, leading to confusion about the actual costs involved. “Women should never have to pay for that service,” Stevenson insisted.

Furthermore, it is important to note that Wāhine Māori are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer compared to non-Māori individuals, often facing worse outcomes. Dr. Stevenson emphasized that cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is preventable, and with concerted efforts, it could be eliminated. “Imagine a world with no cervical cancer. You can live a free life without having to worry about cervical cancer. That’s the ultimate end goal,” she said.

Stevenson concluded that if free screening is paired with investment in vaccination efforts, there is significant potential for the elimination of cervical cancer. The Minister of Health, Simeon Brown, has been approached for comment regarding these proposals.

As the debate continues, the call for equitable access to cervical cancer screening grows louder, underscoring a critical public health issue that affects numerous families across New Zealand.