Cancer screening in New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealand's organised cancer screening programmes are managed by a specialist unit within the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Advice on new screening programmes is provided by an independent advisory group, although decisions on funding and implementation remain political. New Zealand currently has three organised cancer screening programmes; BreastScreen Aotearoa, the National Cervical Screening Programme and the National Bowel Screening Programme. The key challenges for cancer screening in New Zealand are achieving equitable outcomes for different population groups, the difficulties changing an existing or implementing a new screening programme, and the complexity of facilitating informed consent. New Zealand has a particular focus on achieving equity in cancer screening for Māori, the indigenous population of New Zealand, with specific initiatives being considered at a range of levels to increase coverage and change programme parameters.