UICC responding to the call to action to eliminate cervical cancer

Civil society organisations active across the spectrum of health and community education and wellbeing are ready to step up to eliminate cervical cancer.

In response to the global call to action by WHO Director General, Dr Tedros in May 2018 and the global strategy 2020-2030 towards elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, we make a collective call to Heads of States for urgency in making national commitments to scale-up implementation of vital services that leave no one behind. 

Cervical cancer, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and particularly devastating in those living with HIV co-infection, is a growing public health concern. Currently, every 2 minutes a life is lost to this disease. The fact that nearly 9 of 10 these deaths are women in low- and middle-income countries, describes the glaring global divide in access to life-saving information and services.

French subtitled video available here

We already have proven and cost-effective solutions to prevent cervical cancer, to treat it and to care for those with late stage disease. We are urging Heads of State to demonstrate political leadership, make commitments and act to implement programmes with equitable access and coverage to services, to put the country on the pathway to elimination:

• Public information and education services across the life course to build health literacy and health provider skill sets.
• HPV vaccination of at least 90% of the target population.
• Screen all age-eligible women to reach 70% coverage, with prompt follow up and treatment of women who screen positive for cervical pre-cancerous lesions;
• Early detection, prompt referral and optimal multidisciplinary treatment of invasive cervical cancer and
• Pain management and palliative care for all that need them, to achieve 90% follow up rates. 

Your decisive action and sustained commitment to national programmes will save lives, improve wellbeing and provide economic benefits for families and communities.