Cervical Screening Programme extends promotional campaign to target a broader age range

After its highly-successful and dynamic campaign to encourage  young women to  have regular cervical screening tests, the National Cervical Screening Programme is extending the messaging to women aged 25 to 69.

Programme Manager Nicki  Martin says the  initiative is a response to the impact of COVID-19, which has disproportionally affected screening rates amongst wāhine Māori and Pacific women. ‘We are doing all we can to prevent equity gaps widening and are working with our advisory group and Ministry Māori and Pacific Health teams to develop messaging that will resonate strongly with these groups.’ 

As Sevens rugby player Ruby Tui, says in her Instagram video for the ‘Start to Screen’ campaign, it’s a message that has the power to save lives: ‘Recently I’ve been researching some stats and what got me really upset was discovering the high rates of cervical cancer amongst Māori and Pacific women – especially when this is such a preventable disease. With regular screening, most cervical cancers can be avoided.  Sure, the process can sometimes be a little uncomfortable but more often than not it’s quick and easy and potentially life-saving. Let’s change these stats.’

The second phase of the campaign will run in March-April 2021.