The United Nations has reaffirmed that cervical cancer can be prevented and cured when there is adequate access to vaccination, regular screening and effective treatment.
In a statement issued on Friday as part of January’s Cancer Awareness campaign, the UN noted that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The disease affects the cervix and can spread to other parts of the body if not detected or treated early.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer globally in 2022, while an estimated 350,000 died from the illness. UNICEF also warned that cervical cancer claims the life of a woman every two minutes.
Health experts explain that nearly all cases of cervical cancer are linked to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus transmitted through sexual contact. While most people clear HPV naturally, persistent infection with certain high-risk strains can lead to abnormal cell growth and eventually cancer.
WHO stressed that cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers when detected early. It recommends HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14, before sexual activity begins, and routine cervical screening from age 30, or 25 for women living with HIV.
However, unequal access to prevention and treatment continues to drive higher rates of illness and death in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and Southeast Asia.
To address this, 194 countries launched a global strategy in 2020 aimed at eliminating cervical cancer. The initiative set three key targets to be achieved by 2030: vaccinating 90 per cent of girls against HPV by age 15, screening 70 per cent of women by ages 35 and 45 using high-quality tests, and ensuring 70 per cent of diagnosed women receive appropriate treatment.
WHO estimates that achieving these goals could prevent 74 million new cases and save 62 million lives by 2120.
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