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The chief medical officer for Te Aka Whai Ora says a home testing kit for cervical cancer will be a game changer.
The do it yourself kit, which tests for the human papillomavirus, was launched this week at Kōkiri Marae in Lower Hutt.
Dr Rawiri Jansen says many women, especially Maori and Pasifika, do not like going to a doctor for testing – and a do-it-yourself option will be popular.
“I think it is a game changer. It’s a really good piece of technology. It makes it way easier. There’s been some barriers before, including the traditional way of taking a smear, it’s a bit invasive. Te Aka Whai Ora, working with Te Whatu Ora, is really keen to make sure we remove as many barriers as possible,” he says.
The kits will be available from primary health providers, Family Planning, and screening services.
Dr Jansen says at this stage, he isn’t sure if the self-testing kits will be free.
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