Patient Information

Cancer Awareness

Reduce your risk. Recognise changes. Seek help early.

Practical information for people and families in Papua New Guinea, focusing on oral, cervical and breast cancers.

Cancer in Papua New Guinea · 2024 estimates

Three priority cancers in PNG

Breast, oral and cervical cancers are the focus of our public awareness guides. These figures describe the estimated national burden across PNG, rather than the number of patients seen at PMGH.

All cancers in PNG

13,908

New cases in 2024

All cancers in PNG

7,785

Deaths in 2024

All cancers in PNG

27,096

Five-year prevalence

All-cancer totals include non-melanoma skin cancer. Figures are estimates, not a complete count of diagnosed cases.

Compare PNG with Australia

Rates below are per 100,000 people, adjusted to the same world standard age distribution. This accounts for differences in population size and age. Breast and cervical rates are per 100,000 women; oral cancer rates include women and men. Both countries use GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates.

Breast cancer

Women · rates per 100,000

New cases · age-adjusted rate

PNG41.3
Australia103.5

Deaths · age-adjusted rate

PNG19.2
Australia11.2

Five-year prevalence · people

PNG3,227
Australia103,520

These are counts, not age-adjusted rates.

Oral cancer

Women and men · rates per 100,000

New cases · age-adjusted rate

PNG20.0
Australia5.8

Deaths · age-adjusted rate

PNG12.6
Australia0.9

Five-year prevalence · people

PNG2,840
Australia9,452

These are counts, not age-adjusted rates.

Cervical cancer

Women · rates per 100,000

New cases · age-adjusted rate

PNG29.7
Australia5.4

Deaths · age-adjusted rate

PNG18.4
Australia1.5

Five-year prevalence · people

PNG2,656
Australia4,058

These are counts, not age-adjusted rates.

Bars share a scale within each measure: 0–110 for new cases and 0–20 for deaths. Differences also reflect detection, registration and estimation methods; these figures do not measure an individual’s chance of survival.

What do these figures mean?

Incidence: new cancer cases estimated during 2024. Mortality: deaths from cancer estimated during 2024.

Five-year prevalence: people estimated to be alive who were diagnosed in the previous five years. It includes people receiving treatment and those who have completed treatment; it is not a five-year survival percentage.

National estimates: IARC models PNG incidence using national mortality estimates and modelled mortality-to-incidence ratios, because suitable incidence data are unavailable. Australia’s estimates use cancer registry and mortality data projected to 2024. PNG estimates carry substantial uncertainty and may differ from the cases seen in a particular hospital.

Deaths in one year and new diagnoses in that year are different groups of people. Dividing deaths by new cases does not give a mortality or survival percentage.

Sources: IARC GLOBOCAN 2024 · PNG fact sheet (PDF) · Australia fact sheet (PDF) · Cancer Today rates. Sources checked 12 October 2026.

Prevention

Reduce risks before cancer develops. You cannot prevent every cancer, and a diagnosis is not your fault.

Screening

Checks for cancer or changes before cancer develops in people who have no symptoms. Abnormal results need follow-up.

Early diagnosis

Get a new or persistent change assessed. Do not wait for a screening appointment if you have symptoms.

Mouth, tongue, gums and lips

Oral cancer

Stopping betel nut and tobacco use is an important step towards protecting your mouth.

Reduce your risk

  • Stop chewing betel nut (areca nut), including mixtures with or without tobacco.
  • Stop smoking and using other tobacco products. Avoid alcohol.
  • Ask a health worker for support with quitting; you do not have to do it alone.

Screening and checks

A trained health worker or dentist can examine your mouth for concerning changes. Ask about an examination, especially if you use betel nut or tobacco. Looking in a mirror does not replace a professional assessment.

Changes to get checked

  • A mouth ulcer that lasts more than three weeks.
  • A red or white patch, or a lump in the mouth, lip or neck.
  • Persistent mouth pain or difficulty swallowing or speaking.

What to do next

See a doctor or dentist for these changes. They can arrange assessment by the relevant head-and-neck, ENT or oral surgical service if needed. Do not wait three weeks to seek help for a lump or difficulty swallowing.

WHO / IARC: prevention (opens in a new tab)NHS: mouth warning signs (opens in a new tab)

The cervix is the opening of the womb

Cervical cancer

HPV vaccination and screening can prevent many cervical cancers. Changes before cancer develops often have no symptoms.

Reduce your risk

  • Ask about HPV vaccination for eligible girls; see the PNG programme below.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Attend cervical screening when advised, even after HPV vaccination.

Screening and checks

HPV testing looks for the virus that can cause cervical changes. Other tests may be used depending on the service. Ask your clinic when to start and how often to return; people living with HIV need earlier and more frequent screening. Follow up any abnormal result.

Changes to get checked

  • Bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause.
  • Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
  • Persistent pelvic pain.

What to do next

See a health worker promptly for these symptoms, even after a normal screening result. They can arrange gynaecological assessment. An abnormal screening test does not necessarily mean cancer.

WHO: cervical cancer (opens in a new tab)

Patient awareness guide

Cervical screening: what to expect

Learn about the visit, possible tests and follow-up. Your local provider will confirm available services.

Prevention in PNG

HPV vaccination for girls

WHO’s announcement of 8 September 2026 describes a single-dose programme for girls aged 9–14. Free Phase 1 vaccination is scheduled for November 2026 in NCD and Central Province, with other provinces to follow.

Parents and caregivers should follow announcements from schools, health facilities and outreach teams for local dates and eligibility. Girls who are not in school are also included in the planned outreach.

Read the WHO PNG announcement (opens in a new tab)

Cervical screening in PNG

Her Health Hub

The Sir Brian Bell Foundation and CPL Foundation describe a cervical screening service with a fee of K20, same-day results and treatment where appropriate, and referral when further care is needed.

Check directly with the provider for the current location, opening times, fee and who can attend before travelling.

Her Health Hub service information (opens in a new tab)

Know what is usual for your breasts

Breast cancer

A new breast change needs assessment, even if it is painless or there is no family history of cancer. Men can develop breast cancer too.

Reduce your risk

  • Stay physically active and work towards a healthy weight.
  • Avoid alcohol and stop smoking.
  • Tell your doctor about breast or ovarian cancer in your family so they can assess your risk.

Screening and checks

Mammography is an X-ray used to screen people without symptoms. Discuss your age, family history and the benefits and limitations with a clinician. The appropriate schedule and local availability need to be confirmed. Breast awareness is not a substitute for mammography when it is recommended.

Changes to get checked

  • A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm.
  • A change in breast shape, or dimpling or other skin changes.
  • A new nipple change or unusual, especially bloody, nipple discharge.

What to do next

Arrange a medical assessment for a new change. Your clinician can refer you to the breast or surgical service for examination and tests. Many lumps are not cancer, but a painless lump still needs checking.

WHO: breast cancer (opens in a new tab)Cancer Research UK: reducing risk (opens in a new tab)

Patient awareness guide

Breast screening: what to expect

Learn about the visit, possible tests and follow-up. Your local provider will confirm available services.

A change you are worried about? Start with assessment.

These symptoms can have other causes. Checking them early helps a clinician find out what is happening and arrange the right care.

  1. Visit a local health facility, doctor or dentist. Explain what changed, when it started and whether it is getting worse.
  2. Follow the assessment pathway. Your clinician can arrange the relevant surgical specialty, such as ENT/oral surgery, gynaecology or breast surgery, and any tests needed.
  3. Follow up your results. Ask when and how you will receive them, and return if symptoms persist or worsen.

The PMGH oncology referral portal is for confirmed cancer. It is not the route for initial assessment of suspected cancer.

Clinical operations commencing in December 2026. Clinical services have not yet commenced.

More warning signs and when to seek help

Common questions

Does a lump or an abnormal screening result mean cancer?

Not necessarily. Many breast lumps have other causes, and a screening result needs follow-up to find out what it means. See a clinician rather than trying to diagnose yourself.

Do I still need cervical screening after HPV vaccination?

Yes. Vaccination and screening work together. Follow the screening advice from your health service, and get symptoms assessed even if you have been vaccinated.

Should I wait for screening if I have a symptom?

No. Screening is for people without symptoms. Arrange a medical assessment for a new or persistent change, even if a previous screening test was normal.

Sources checked: 12 October 2026. General health information, not an individual diagnosis or screening prescription. Local service details may change; check with the provider.

International guidance supports the explanations above. Your clinician and local health programme determine which screening tests and schedules are appropriate for you.

WHO: screening and early diagnosis (opens in a new tab)