Cervical Cancer Elimination: Opportunities and Challenges

Monday Lunch Livestream

With Mr David Wrede and Professor Marion Saville

1 March 2021

Hosted by Tamara Oudyn, ABC News anchor and cervical cancer awareness advocate.

In November 2020 the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a global public health problem. The adoption of the strategy was co-led by Australia, with our strong track record of global leadership in cervical cancer prevention programs, technology and research.

As a result of its world-leading screening and vaccination programs, Australia is well on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035. Yet even here we can't be complacent. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted screening rates as women put off their regular health checks. Last year in Australia 930 women were diagnosed, and 230 women died, from cervical cancer. 

In the lead up to HPV Awareness Day on 4 March, experts Mr David Wrede (The Women’s) and Professor Marion Saville AM (VCS Foundation Ltd) will navigate the opportunities and challenges of WHO's call for the global elimination of cervical cancer by 2100.

This presentation focuses on Australia and Asia-Pacific in light of the latest evidence, new screening strategies and the success of the HPV vaccination strategies, with opportunity for discussion, led by ABC news anchor and cervical cancer awareness advocate, Tamara Oudyn.

Presenters 

Mr David Wrede

Mr David Wrede is the clinical lead for the dysplasia service at The Royal Women’s Hospital. His main clinical focus has been in gynaecological cancer prevention. He is an investigator on a number of cervical cancer screening, prevention and treatment projects including COMPASS (led by Professor Marion Saville and Professor Karen Canfell). He is also an associate investigator in the NHMRC C4 Centre of Research Excellence. He was appointed to the Board of VCS Foundation Ltd. in May 2010 as Director with gynaecological expertise and was appointed Vice Chairman in 2017. Mr Wrede is an Honorary Senior Lecturer to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of Melbourne.

Professor Marion Saville AM

Professor Marion Saville AM has held the position of Executive Director of VCS Foundation Ltd. since 2000. Marion has served on numerous cervical screening advisory committees in Australia. Most recently she was a member of the Steering Committee for the Renewal Implementation Project. She is currently chairing the working group to review guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities in the National Cervical Screening Program. Marion was appointed as a member (AM) of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2020 for her significant service to women’s health through cervical screening initiatives.

Tamara Oudyn

Tamara Oudyn is a journalist, anchor, podcaster and voice trainer. She currently anchors the nightly news on the ABC in Victoria, and in her 15 years with the network, has reported for and presented ABC Local Radio’s Drive program, the ABC’s State Election coverage, News Breakfast, The Midday Report and Stateline.

Tamara began her career in television nearly 25 years ago at Channel 10, with the long-running children's show Totally Wild. She worked as a researcher and producer for factual programs in Australia and the UK while completing a Bachelor of Journalism at QUT in Brisbane.

She now coaches ABC broadcasters and corporate clients across the country in broadcast voice.