A world-first study - Accelerating cervical cancer elimination in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: a modelling study - has revealed that without urgent, targeted action, cervical cancer will not be eliminated in Indigenous communities until 2047 - 12 years later than the government's 2035 target.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. It is caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections but can be prevented through vaccination and screening.

In the study, published in Lancet Public Health, researchers used existing data to project the date cervical cancer will be eliminated amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, then modelled interventions to see which would have the biggest impact on elimination timings.

The researchers found a targeted screening blitz, focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have never been screened before, could bring cervical cancer elimination forward to 2036, almost closing the 12-year gap.

'We need to act now'

Lead author Associate Professor Megan Smith, from the Cancer Elimination Collaboration at the University of Sydney School of Public Health, said "at current rates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will wait an extra generation to see cervical cancer eliminated in their communities - but the gap is not inevitable".

"Our research shows that a targeted screening blitz would almost entirely close the gap, protecting a whole generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women," she said.

The study also reinforced the importance of Indigenous-led approaches, with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Health Workers and community leadership central to delivery.

Senior author Associate Professor Lisa Whop, a Wagadagam Gumulgal woman from Yardhura Walani - the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research at the Australian National University, said Australia "cannot claim success in cervical cancer elimination until Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples benefit equally".

"We need to act now," she said.

"This isn't about inventing new solutions but backing what communities already know works. A concerted effort, funded by government and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, will help to overcome longstanding inequities in cervical cancer screening."

'The gap in cervical cancer is not about biology - it's about access'

The researchers recommend that specific interventions such as self-collection and community-based point-of-care testing should be used to make screening as accessible as possible.

Associate Professor Smith said "the gap in cervical cancer is not about biology - it's about access, and access can be fixed".

"Self-collection is a game changer because it gives people real choice and means that women don't necessarily have to go to a clinic to get tested," she said.

Associate Professor Lisa Whop said there is already good evidence that self-collection is helping to increase screening rates and "with more investment and partnership it could be key to eliminating cancer within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within a generation".

Federal Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Rebecca White, told National Indigenous Times Australia is "on track" to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate cervical cancer and the federal government is "determined to see that goal achieved for all communities".

"In 2023, the Albanese government launched the National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Australia, backed by a $48.2 million investment over four years to improve prevention, screening and follow-up care," she said.

"Improving access to screening in First Nations communities is central to this work, including through self-collection, this is already helping to increase participation, particularly in communities where screening rates have traditionally been lower.

"We are also supporting initiatives such as point of care HPV testing to deliver screening and co-designed campaigns that support culturally safe care."

The federal government has provided $197.9 million to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to improve cancer outcomes for First Nations people, including participation in cancer screening.

The Assistant Minister said the government will "continue working alongside First Nations communities, health services and health practitioners as we progress toward eliminating cervical cancer".