for the first time, the world is committed to eliminating cancer

The WHO global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer, launched today, defines three key steps: vaccination, screening and treatment. If these are implemented successfully, new cases of the disease could be reduced by more than 40% and the number of disease-related deaths by 5 million by 2050.

This is a historic milestone as, for the first time, 194 countries pledge to eliminate cancer, after a resolution was passed at the World Health Assembly this year.

If the following goals are met by 2030, all countries will be well on their way to eliminating this cancer:

● 90% of girls are fully vaccinated against human papillomavirus at the age of 15;

● 70% of women benefit from screening using a high performance test at the age of 35 and 45;

● 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease are treated (90% of precancerous lesions are treated and 90% of invasive cancer cases are treated).

The strategy also stresses that investing in interventions that achieve these goals can have significant economic and social benefits. It is estimated that for every US dollar invested through 2050 and beyond, US $ 3.20 will return to the economy due to the increased participation of women in the labor market. This figure rises to US $ 26 when the benefits of improving women’s health are taken into account for families, communities and societies.

“Getting rid of cancer would have seemed like an impossible dream before, but today we have effective, inexpensive, evidence-based tools to make that dream come true,” said Dr.^r Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “However, we can only eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem if we harness the power of the tools we have at our disposal with a strong determination to expand their use globally.” ”

Cervical cancer is preventable. It is also treatable if caught early and treated appropriately. However, it is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Without new measures, the annual number of new cervical cancer cases is expected to increase from 570,000 to 700,000 between 2018 and 2030, and the annual number of deaths will increase from 311,000 to 400,000. In low- and middle-income countries, the incidence of this cancer is almost twice as high as in high-income countries, and the mortality rate is three times higher.

“The enormous burden of cervical cancer death is the result of decades of neglect by the global healthcare community. However, the scenario can be rewritten, “explains WHO Deputy Director-General Dr.^re Princess Nothemba (Ninth) Simelela. Major advances include the availability of prophylactic vaccines; economic interventions for the identification and treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix; and innovative approaches to surgical training. Through a shared global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and a determination to leave no one behind, countries around the world are leading a new path towards cervical cancer elimination. ”

However, the strategy is launched at a difficult time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put the prevention of cancer deaths at risk, given the disruption of immunization, screening and treatment services; border closures that have reduced the availability of supplies and prevented the movement of qualified biomedical engineers for equipment maintenance; new difficulties that prevent women in rural areas from going to referral centers for treatment; and school closures that disrupt school vaccination programs. However, where possible, WHO urges all countries to ensure that vaccination, testing and treatment can be continued safely, with all necessary precautions.

“The fight against cervical cancer is also a fight for women’s rights: the unnecessary suffering caused by this preventable disease is a reflection of the injustices that uniquely affect women’s health around the world,” says D^re Princess Nothemba Simelela. “Together, we can write a new page of history, for a future where cervical cancer no longer exists. ”

The launch of the Strategy is celebrated with a day of action around the world as ministries of health, partners and all those who fight cancer engage in activities to improve access to cancer. cancer prevention and treatment for girls and women.

All over the world, monuments will be illuminated in the color “teal”, emblematic of the fight against cervical cancer, from Niagara Falls in North America to the “Dubai Frame”, including skyscrapers. -sky of Australian cities.