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WHO\u2018s Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, launched today, outlines three key steps: vaccination, screening and treatment. Successful implementation of all three could reduce more than 40% of new cases of the disease and 5 million related deaths by 2050.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s development represents a historic milestone because it marks the first time that 194 countries commit to eliminating cancer – following adoption of a resolution at this year\u2019s World Health Assembly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meeting the following targets by 2030 will place all countries on the path toward elimination:<\/p>\n
The strategy also stresses that investing in the interventions to meet these targets can generate substantial economic and societal returns. An estimated US$\u00a03.20 will be returned to the economy for every dollar invested through 2050 and beyond, owing to increases in women\u2019s workforce participation. The figure rises to US$\u00a026.00 when the benefits of women\u2019s improved health on families, communities and societies are considered.<\/p>\n
\u201cEliminating any cancer would have once seemed an impossible dream, but we now have the cost-effective, evidence-based tools to make that dream a reality,\u201d said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. \u201cBut we can only eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem if we match the power of the tools we have with unrelenting determination to scale up their use globally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. It is also curable if detected early and adequately treated. Yet it is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Without taking additional action, the annual number of new cases of cervical cancer is expected to increase from 570\u00a0000 to 700\u00a0000 between 2018 and 2030, while the annual number of deaths is projected to rise from 311\u00a0000 to 400\u00a0000. In low- and middle-income countries, its incidence is nearly twice as high and its death rates three times as high as those in high-income countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe huge burden of mortality related to cervical cancer is a consequence of decades of neglect by the global health community. However, the script can be rewritten,\u201d says WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Princess Nothemba (Nono) Simelela. \u201cCritical developments include the availability of prophylactic vaccines; low-cost approaches to screening and treating cervical cancer precursors; and novel approaches to surgical training. Through a shared global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and leaving no-one behind, the countries of the world are forging a new path to ending cervical cancer. \u201c<\/p>\n
The strategy is launched at a challenging time, however.<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to preventing deaths due to cancer, including the interruption of vaccination, screening and treatment services; border closures that reduced the availability of supplies and that prevent the transit of skilled biomedical engineers to maintain equipment; new barriers preventing women in rural areas from travelling to referral centres for treatment; and school closures that interrupt school vaccine programmes. To the extent possible, however, WHO urges all countries to ensure that vaccination, screening and treatment can continue safely, with all necessary precautions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fight against cervical cancer is also a fight for women\u2019s rights: the unnecessary suffering caused by this preventable disease reflects the injustices that uniquely affect women\u2019s health around the world,\u201d says Dr Princess Nothemba Simelela. \u201cTogether, we can make history to ensure a cervical cancer-free future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The launch is being celebrated with a day of action across the globe, as ministries of health, partners, and cancer advocates engage in activities to improve access to cancer prevention and treatment for girls and women.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Around the world, \u00a0monuments are being illuminated in the cervical teal, from Niagara Falls in North America to The Dubai Frame, to city skylines across Australia.\u00a0 (More information about the events in countries around the world and monument lightings will be posted on WHO\u2019s event site: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/events\/detail\/2020\/11\/17\/default-calendar\/launch-of-the-global-strategy-to-accelerate-the-elimination-of-cervical-cancer<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n