STIEF in the News
Te hunga pāpāho
Hope 'game changer' new HPV screening test could aid in eliminating cervical cancer
Hannah Martin
Stuff, Sept 12 2023
Aotearoa’s cervical screening programme is undergoing a “game changer” – one it’s hoped could aid in eliminating cervical cancer.
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World Head and Neck Cancer Day: Why HPV vaccination rates must rise
Opinion
NZ Doctor, July 27 2023
Today, 27 July, is World Head and Neck Cancer Day. Here, Cathy Stephenson, Swee Tan and Amelia Jenkinson call on the leadership of Te Whatu Ora to accelerate New Zealand’s vaccination uptake as an investment in young people and oropharyngeal cancer prevention.
'Rapid' rise in throat cancer linked to common sexually transmitted infection
Hannah Martin
Stuff, July 27 2023
The Head and Neck Cancer and Sexually Transmitted Infections Education foundations say ‘concerted’ efforts are needed to match Australia’s 90% HPV vaccination rate is essential to prevent avoidable loss of life.
Aotearoa needs to up its game on HPV vaccination to protect tamariki
Hannah Martin
Stuff, Mar 04 2023
Unless Aotearoa ups its game on HPV vaccination we will “without a doubt... have a huge crisis” on our hands in future, a doctor warns.
HPV vaccination prevents cancer - protect your child this World Head and Neck Cancer Day
Joint Press Release - STIEF | HNCFA | HNCSN
New Zealand Doctor, Jul 25 2022
As Wednesday 27th of July marks World Head and Neck Cancer Day, health agencies say it’s a timely opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating health impacts of head and neck cancers, including oropharyngeal (throat) cancer caused by Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV).
Doctor's commitment to sexual health services recognised
Shilpy Arora
Stuff, Jun 06 2022
The STIEF Board was thrilled to see STIEF Director, Dr Anne Robertson, recognised in the Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours, being named an officer of the new Zealand Order of merit.
Anne identified a need for greater advocacy in sexual health and sexual assault services, then committed to providing it for the past 24 years.
Who Doesn't Have It?
Press Release - STIEF
Scoop, Mar 02 2022
The 4th of March marks International HPV Awareness Day. This year’s international campaign theme is #onelessworry. The Human Papillomavirus, known as HPV, is one of the world’s most widespread viral infections, usually resulting from direct skin-to-skin contact during intimate sexual contact with someone who has HPV. The virus can be transmitted by penetrative as well as non-penetrative sexual contact and is thought to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. In the case of sexually active adults, 80% of us are affected by HPV at some point in our lives - so - who doesn’t have it?
'You may have chlamydia' email from University of Otago an uncomfortable but welcome surprise
Sinead Gill
Stuff, Feb 10 2022
The first few weeks at university can be a petri dish for colds and flus, but catching a sexually transmitted infection can also be on the cards for unprepared students.
Much like Covid-19, contact tracing STIs was just as important as testing to stop the spread, though there was little formal funding for it, a sexual health expert said.
Herpes and me, six months on
Sarah
Stuff, Aug 10 2021
In a follow-up from her candid story about her herpes battle, Sarah is back with what’s happened since – and to say she’s been blown away is an understatement.
In February, just in time for Valentine’s Day, I wrote an article about something I never thought I’d be writing about. Herpes. Herpes and me, unfortunately.
World Head and Neck Cancer Day
Joint Press Release - STIEF & HNCFA
Scoop, Jul 26 2021
27th of July marks the World Head and Neck Cancer Day. The Head and Neck Cancer Foundation Aotearoa (HNCFA) and the Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation (STIEF) would like to take this opportunity to raise the awareness to New Zealanders about the devastating health impacts of head and neck cancers, including oropharyngeal (throat) cancer caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and to remind everyone that prevention is available in the form of the Gardasil vaccine. This highly effective and safe vaccine prevents infection with HPV, and massively reduces the risk of developing many different forms of cancer, including oropharyngeal cancer, cervical cancer and penile cancer.
HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer
Ramesh Pandey & Swee Tan
New Zealand Doctor, Jul 26 2021
World Head and Neck Cancer Day on 27 July is an opportunity to remind all healthcare providers to take part in education, early diagnosis and prevention of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer.
HPV vaccine uptake languishing below target amid rising cancer rates
Hannah Martin
Stuff, Apr 23 2021
Uptake of the HPV vaccine is “absolutely not” where it needs to be, with immunisation rates lagging well behind the national target.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections and is associated with almost all cervical cancers.
Sexual health experts concerned by drop in number of young people getting HPV vaccine
Vandhna Bhan
1 NEWS, Apr 23 2021
Sexual health experts are concerned by a drop in the number of young people vaccinated last year against HPV, a virus that can cause a raft of cancers including most types of cervical cancers.
Concerned over drop in numbers of young people getting HPV vaccines
Nicole Bremner
1 NEWS, Apr 22 2021 (video content)
Vaccines for HPV are offered to intermediate school age children but some GPs say there could be factors beyond Covid for reduced numbers receiving the jab.
MP's cervical cancer diagnosis a wake-up call
Siouxsie Wiles
Stuff, Apr 12 2021
OPINION: I was very sad to hear the news that cabinet minister and East Coast MP Kiri Allan has been diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer. If you don’t know where the cervix is, it’s the small passageway connecting the vagina and the uterus.
Vaccine Passport – Have You Got Your Cancer-prevention Stamp?
Joint Press Release - STIEF & HNCFA
Scoop, Mar 03 2021
As our collective consciousness is focussed on coronavirus and the new COVID vaccines, it seems timely to remind New Zealanders about another effective virus-fighting vaccine that we should be thinking about too: Gardasil. This highly effective, safe vaccine fights the Human Papillomavirus, known as HPV, and massively reduces the risk of developing genital warts, as well as multiple different forms of cancer.
Heartbreak, hopes and Herpes: What it's actually like to have an STI
Sarah
Stuff, Feb 10 2021
Kiwi woman Sarah thought her date was something special – but he gave her something she never anticipated. Here, she clears up some of the stigma surrounding STI’s and shares the real story of what it’s like to contract a sexually transmitted infection. Turns out, herpes is MUCH more common than you’d think – and we need to start talking about it.
How HPV spread through oral sex can cause cancer in men
Siobhan Downes
Stuff, Aug 04 2020
Known as the “common cold” of sexually transmitted infections, without immunisation, around 80 per cent of sexually active adults will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. The virus is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, with 150 women in New Zealand diagnosed every year. It can also cause other cancers in the genital area of both men and women, specifically the vagina, vulva, penis and anus.
Contraception and 'bubble sex' in a time of Coronavirus
Dr Cathy Stephenson
Stuff, Mar 31 2020
ADVICE: As we hunker down in our "bubbles" for the next few weeks, families and flatmates all over the nation are finding ways to while away the hours indoors, without the usual distractions of work, socialising and travel.
For couples, one thing that may well be continuing during lockdown is sex. In fact, if historical events are an indicator, there is probably more of it happening now in existing relationships than might be the norm.
GPs get unclear message on changes for cervical screening, says White
Zahra Shahtahmasebi
New Zealand Doctor, Nov 18 2019
A lack of communication from the Ministry of Health about changes to cervical cancer screening is unsatisfactory, says NZMA GP Council chair Jan White.
Most people in primary care sector knew changes to the National Cervical Screening Programme were afoot, but many weren’t informed the age of entry would officially increase on 1 November, from 20 to 25, Dr White says.
Why changes have been made to NZ's cervical screening programme
Dr Cathy Stephenson
Stuff, Oct 15 2019
ADVICE: As New Zealanders, we are lucky to have had a robust screening programme for cervical cancer for many years.
I know from talking to patients from overseas that in many parts of the world this type of screening test isn't freely available, creating inequity of access and leading to preventable cancers in those people who are often most at risk....
The vaccine that can prevent cancer
Dr Cathy Stephenson
Stuff, Jul 23 2019
This Saturday is "World Head and Neck Cancer Day".
As well as including skin cancers, cancers of the nasal passages, salivary glands and other areas, the "head and neck" group also includes oropharyngeal cancers – those that affect the middle part of the throat.
Oropharyngeal cancers definitely aren't well known, but numbers of people affected by them are growing at an alarming rate – and the consequences of...
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Why are we so scared of checkups?
Anna Harcourt
Re: News, Feb 05 2019 (video content)
When was the last time you had a check up?
Young kiwis waiting to seek STI treatment
From Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan
RadioNZ, 31 August 2018
Young kiwis aren't getting help for sexual health issues early enough.
New research by Massey University, the first study of its kind in New Zealand, found 40 per cent of young people waited until they experienced symptoms, and some waited even longer, before seeking tretament.
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