7. LESLEY SOPER (Labour) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
What steps has the Government taken to increase protection for women from the risk of cervical cancer?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
Recently the Prime Minister, along with David Cunliffe and me, announced a major immunisation programme to fight cervical cancer. Over the next 5 years the human papillomavirus—HPV—immunisation programme will be offered free to more than 300,000 young women aged 12 to 18 years and over. Trials have shown that this vaccine is highly effective against the most common causes of cervical cancer—two types of the human papillomavirus.
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
The Labour-led Government is committing around $164 million in new funding to this immunisation programme. It is expected to save around 30 lives every year. We also expect to see a reduction in the number of abnormal smear results. Although the National Cervical Screening Programme has been a huge success, screening alone can never prevent all cancers. The human papillomavirus vaccine is another prevention strategy that along with screening can reduce the burden of this disease even further.
Barbara StewartWhat steps has the Government taken to increase protection for men from the risk of prostate cancer, considering that the number of deaths annually from this type of cancer is now greater than the annual New Zealand road toll?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
When we have access to good new technologies that are cost effective and have proven benefits then we should use them. To date, the expert clinical advice is that technology is not effective enough to support a prostate cancer screening programme. However, if men are concerned about their health they should talk to their family doctor or nurse.
What responses has the Associate Minister received to the launch of the human papillomavirus immunisation initiative?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
The Cancer Society has welcomed the initiative, saying that it will not only ensure equitable access to the vaccine but it will mean that those women who are at increased risk of developing and dying from cervical cancer can be immunised. Although I hear that the National Party is in favour of women these days, I note that we are yet to hear whether it would continue to fund this programme.