Cervical cancer
In New Zealand, about 160 women develop cervical cancer each year – and about 50 die from it.
Taku hauora, taku tinana, taku tūmanako
My health, my body, my future
Cervical cancer is caused by some strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that is passed on by sexual contact.
You can help protect yourself against cervical cancer by:
- having the HPV immunisation (when you’re young)
- having regular cervical smear tests as an adult, if you’ve ever been sexually active.
About cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus or womb.
Cervical cancer develops slowly over time, usually taking many years, when abnormal cells grow on the cervix. These abnormal cells are caused by infection with high-risk types of HPV.
Abnormalities in the cells of the cervix can be detected by cervical screening and removed. Each year there are around 25,000 abnormal smear test results among New Zealand women.
- Without cervical screening about one out of 90 women will develop cervical cancer and one out of 200 will die from it.
- With cervical screening about one out of 570 will develop cervical cancer and one out of 1280 will die from it.
Regular three-yearly cervical smear tests are recommended for all women aged 20 to 70 who have ever been sexually active. Visit the National Screening Unit website for more information.
To find out more, watch our YouTube video.
Risk factors for cervical cancer
The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection.
Other factors may contribute, including:
- genetics: some women are more likely to get cancer than others (family history)
- smoking: tobacco is a factor in causing many types of cancer, including cervical cancer. Women who smoke are twice as likely as non-smokers to develop cervical cancer
- nutrition: women with a diet low in fruits and vegetables have an increased risk
- number of sexual partners: the more sexual partners a person has, the higher their risk of contracting HPV
- not having regular smear tests: this increases a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer.
Cervical cancers not caused by HPV
Some kinds of cervical cancer are not caused by HPV, but these are very rare and are usually types of cancer that cervical screening tests cannot find early or prevent.
They include cancer of the skin (melanoma) that has spread to the cervix and cancers of the muscles, nerves and connective tissues of the cervix.
Development of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer can develop over 10 or more years. There can be a long interval between being infected with HPV, the development of abnormalities and the development of cancer.
- Women receiving normal cervical smear test results can already be infected with HPV.
- A small proportion of women infected with HPV whose immune systems are not clearing the infection are at risk of developing precancerous abnormalities. If these are not detected through cervical screening and treated, they can lead to cervical cancer.
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Most but not all women with high-grade abnormalities on the cervix will develop cervical cancer if they are not treated.
Find out more from the Ministry
You can find out more about the HPV immunisation programme and the vaccine at HPV immunisation programme.
In this section
- A woman’s best protection against developing cervical cancer is having regular cervical smear tests. All women who have ever been sexually active should have regular cervical smear tests from the time they turn 20 until they turn 70. Read more
- All girls in New Zealand can be immunised against HPV as part of their free childhood immunisations at twelve years old. The HPV immunisation protects young women against the two common types of HPV that cause around 70 percent of cervical cancer. Read more
Resources
Cervical Cancer Vaccine
Available on HealthEd in 15 languages.
Prevention of Cervical Cancer: A Guide for Women in New Zealand
Available on HealthEd.
Related websites
Cancer Society
The Cancer Society of New Zealand is the country’s largest source of information about cancer and its effects. This website provides information on types of cancer, diagnosis, methods of treatment and advice on living with cancer.
New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation
Information and support for women with gynaecological cancers, including cervical cancer.
Page last updated: 05 April 2013
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