On November 17, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a global initiative, Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer and adopted a resolution with the support of 194 countries at the 73rd World Health Assembly at Geneva. The resolution is unique as it pledged, for the first time, to eliminate a deadly disease, cervical cancer, by pursuing three important steps: vaccination, screening, and treatment. Responding to the call for action in May 2018 by the WHO all its member states collectively resolved to end needless suffering from a cancer that is both preventable and curable. The global initiative was co-sponsored by the governments of Australia, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Cervical cancer can be prevented with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, detected early and managed effectively. Prevention and early treatment are highly cost-effective. Worldwide, however, cervical cancer remains one of the gravest threats to women’s lives, and one woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes.
The objectives of this initiative include to convey unity in the stand against this cancer, and socialise the public to the goals and targets set by the strategy. By the year 2030, all countries can achieve 90 per cent HPV vaccination coverage, 70 per cent screening coverage, and 90 per cent access to treatment for cervical pre-cancer and cancer, including access to palliative care. It also aims for an ambitious and inclusive strategy to accelerate eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. According to WHO, vaccinating nine in 10 girls under 15 against cervical cancer, and improved screening and treatment of women could reduce infections by 40 per cent and save 5 million lives by 2050. As per WHO estimates, achieving and sustaining the 90:70:90 targets will avert 74 million new cases of cervical cancer and 62 million deaths in 78 low-and middle-income countries in the future. It also seeks to emphasise on investing in interventions to attain these targets that can provide significant economic and societal returns. As per WHO, for every dolar spent through 2050 and beyond will give a return of $3.20, if participation of women is increased in workforce.
Cervical cancer is a condition where uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells takes place in the lining of the cervix, a part of the female reproductive system that is located in the lower part of the womb, forming the opening from the womb to the vagina. It is a major cause of women’s death globally and is the fourth most common cancer among women. It is the leading cause of deaths in women in 42 countries. This disease is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) transmitted by sexual contact. There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which at least 14 are cancer-causing, and known as high risk types. Two of the HPV types—16 and 18—cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers and pre-cancerous cervical lesions. Besides, HPV is also linked with cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis, and oropharynx.
Virologist Harald zur Hausen discovered how cervical cancer is triggered by virus infections. His work led to the creation of the HPV vaccine which reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer.