Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has confirmed that cervical screening will continue to be free for women with higher risk of cervical cancer.
“Continuing to fund free cervical screening for women who are more likely to develop cervical cancer and have poorer outcomes is another way we are doing this.”
Funding is targeted towards the groups with the greatest need and highest clinical risk. Māori cervical cancer incidence is 1.7 times that of non-Māori, and mortality is almost 2.5 times higher. Pacific women also experience significantly higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates compared to non-Pacific women.
“If you are due for your regular cervical screening, I encourage you to participate. It’s quicker and easier than ever, with the option to self-test,” says Dr Reti.
The zero-fees cervical screening programme is funded by Health New Zealand. This means eligible women will not be charged a co-payment when they access cervical screening.
