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The United Nations has reaffirmed that cervical cancer is both preventable and curable when women have proper access to screening, vaccination, and treatment.
In a statement issued on Friday, the UN noted that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, adding that January is dedicated each year to Cancer Awareness campaigns.
What Is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a reproductive cancer that develops in a woman’s cervix. If not detected or treated early, it can spread to other parts of the body.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide in 2022, while about 350,000 women died from the disease.
UNICEF, the UN children’s agency, warns that a woman dies from cervical cancer every two minutes, highlighting the severity of the illness.
Cause and Risk Factors
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are linked to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
While most sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives, the immune system usually clears the virus naturally. However, persistent infection with certain high-risk HPV types can lead to abnormal cell growth and, eventually, cancer.
Prevention and Treatment
The WHO stressed that cervical cancer can be successfully prevented and treated with timely medical intervention.
Its recommendations include:
- HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14, before they become sexually active
- Cervical screening from age 30, or 25 for women living with HIV
When detected early and managed properly, cervical cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer.
Global Inequality in Care
Despite available prevention methods, unequal access to healthcare remains a major challenge. This has resulted in higher rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Global Elimination Strategy
In 2020, 194 countries launched a global strategy aimed at eliminating cervical cancer. November 17, the day the initiative was introduced, is now observed as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.
According to the WHO, the strategy targets the following goals by 2030:
- 90% of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15
- 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by 45
- 70% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer receiving treatment
The WHO estimates that achieving these targets could prevent 74 million new cases and avert 62 million deaths by 2120.
