The Global Effort to Eliminate Cervical Cancer: A Path to a Healthier Future for Women

 

Cervical cancer, a disease that develops in the cervix—the entrance to the uterus—continues to be a major public health concern, affecting hundreds of thousands of women worldwide. In fact, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. Yet, despite its prevalence, we have the tools and strategies necessary to eliminate it as a public health problem.

The Link Between HPV and Cervical Cancer

Almost all cases of cervical cancer—99%, to be exact—are caused by infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). This common virus is transmitted through sexual contact and, while most HPV infections resolve on their own without causing harm, persistent infection can lead to cervical cancer over time.

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death among women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to screening and treatment is limited. In 2022, an estimated 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and approximately 350,000 women lost their lives to this preventable disease.

The Promise of Prevention

The good news is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, especially if caught early. Effective prevention strategies, such as the HPV vaccine and regular screening for precancerous lesions(in Nepali = घाउहरू), can prevent the majority of cases.

Primary prevention through HPV vaccination has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in reducing cervical cancer rates. By vaccinating girls before they are exposed to the virus, we can dramatically lower the risk of cervical cancer later in life.

Secondary prevention through screening and treating precancerous lesions is also highly effective. Women who undergo regular screening can catch any abnormal cells before they develop into full-blown cancer, improving their chances of successful treatment.

The World Health Organization's Call to Action

In May 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) made a bold commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. The Director-General’s call to action emphasized the importance of global collaboration and political will to tackle this preventable disease. In January 2019, the WHO Executive Board took further steps by requesting the development of a comprehensive global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

The resulting Global Strategy towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem sets clear and ambitious targets for the world to meet by 2030, aiming to reduce cervical cancer cases and deaths to unprecedented lows.

The 90–70–90 Targets

To achieve the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue, the WHO has outlined three critical targets, known as the 90–70–90 targets, which must be met by 2030:

1. 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15
2. 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by age 45
3. 90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment (including 90% of women with precancer treated and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed)

These targets form the backbone of the global strategy and have been designed to ensure that no woman is left behind in the fight against cervical cancer.

The Long-Term Benefits of Meeting These Targets

Achieving the 90–70–90 targets is not just a biggest goal—it's a practical roadmap that will save millions of lives. Mathematical models show that if these targets are met, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the global incidence of cervical cancer could decrease by as much as 42% by 2045 and 97% by 2120. This would result in the prevention of over 74 million new cases of cervical cancer.

Moreover, by 2030, nearly 300,000 cervical cancer deaths could be avoided, with the cumulative number of deaths prevented reaching over 62 million by 2120.

A Global Effort: The Key to Success

While the tools for cervical cancer prevention and treatment are well-established, the burden of the disease disproportionately affects women in low-resource settings. Access to HPV vaccines, screening, and timely treatment is often limited, contributing to the higher rates of cervical cancer in these regions. This highlights the need for a concerted global effort to ensure that all women, regardless of where they live, can benefit from these life-saving interventions.

The WHO's strategy provides a clear vision for a future where cervical cancer no longer poses a significant threat to women’s health. The approach focuses on the need for collaboration among governments, health organizations, and communities to provide the necessary support for vaccination, screening, and treatment programs, particularly in countries that need it the most.

No Woman Should Die from Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is preventable, treatable, and curable when detected early. It is within our power to eliminate it as a public health problem. The WHO’s global strategy offers a comprehensive framework to achieve this goal, but it requires political will, funding, and access to healthcare services for all women. If we work together, we can make cervical cancer a disease of the past.

No woman should die from cervical cancer, and with sustained efforts toward prevention, screening, and treatment, we can make that vision a reality.

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