Experts call for urgent changes

The Cancer Society is praising Labour MP Kiri Allan for bravely speaking out about her cervical cancer diagnosis and encouraging women to get regular screening.

But a gynaecological oncologist told the Herald it was a reminder that New Zealand urgently needed to change its method of screening cervical cancer to catch those most at risk.

Dr Ai Ling Tan said usually when patients saw her with advanced cervical cancer they hadn’t been screened for a number of reasons.

“Cultural barriers is a massive issue . . . some might have always put their family first or had a bad experience or been raped, or abused.

“You don’t know how many people who have had that experience. They don’t share that until after they get cancer.”

Tan said New Zealand desperately needed to introduce HPV primary screening which was less uncomfortable and meant women could test themselves.

The testing was recommended by the World Health Organisation and had been adopted by many other countries including Australia, she said.

Tan said 50 per cent of patients with cervical cancer had not been screened.

“We need to acknowledge the difference in culture and speak the

same language, speak their language, not our language.”

The Cancer Society’s Dr Rachel Nicholls echoed Tan’s comments and added that HPV screening tests were meant to be replacing the existing smear test but this had been delayed for another few years.

“This still requires sampling in the same way but it is a more effective test.

“It will reduce the testing requirements to once every five years for most women.

“We know that cervical cancer can be eliminated,” Nicholls said.

The society also pointed to a 2019 Victoria University study which found whakama¯ (reticence), lack of time and fear of discomfort and pain were the most common reasons for not attending regular cervical screening.

For now, Nichollas said: “Having a routine smear is one of the most important things you can do to prevent or find cervical cancer early”.

The #smearurmea campaign was also trending on social media with many sharing messages of support to Allan while urging women to keep up to date with their screening checks.