Cancer Society Urges Politicians to Commit to Fully Funded Cervical Screening

The Cancer Society launches its election manifesto at Parliament, calling for a $21 million annual investment to provide free cervical screening and eliminate the disease.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 3:49 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Personal Testimony: The Power of Early Detection

At the manifesto launch, cervical cancer survivor Jen Jewell shared her harrowing yet "lucky" experience of being diagnosed with abnormal cells at age 35. Jewell credits her survival to early detection and the swift six-month treatment she received in New Zealand. Her story served as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the disease; while she eventually welcomed a son via surrogate, she noted that the entire ordeal including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and complex fertility preservation could have been avoided entirely with a simple school-based vaccine.

The Economic Case for Elimination

Cancer Society Chief Executive Nicola Coom presented a compelling financial argument for the investment. New Zealand currently spends approximately $35 million every year treating cervical cancer. For a significantly lower annual investment in screening ($21 million), the country could move toward total elimination of the disease, following in the footsteps of Australia, which is on track to be cervical cancer-free by 2035. Advocates argue that shifting from a treatment-based model to a prevention-based model is not only a moral imperative but a fiscal necessity.

Party Commitments and Political Support

Representatives from across the political spectrum gathered to respond to the manifesto: