The United Nations has reiterated that cervical cancer can be prevented and successfully treated if detected early and managed with access to screening, vaccination and appropriate medical care.
The UN made this known in a statement to mark January Cancer Awareness Month, noting that cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women globally.
Cervical cancer is a reproductive cancer that affects the cervix and can spread to other parts of the body if not diagnosed and treated early.
According to data from the World Health Organisation about 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide in 2022, while approximately 350,000 women died from the disease during the same period.
The United Nations Children’s Fund warned that the disease continues to claim lives at an alarming rate.
“Cervical cancer takes the life of a woman every two minutes,” UNICEF said.
Health experts note that almost all cases of cervical cancer are linked to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a highly common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
While most HPV infections clear naturally through the body’s immune system, persistent infection with high-risk strains can lead to abnormal cell growth that may develop into cancer.
The WHO stressed that with the right interventions, cervical cancer is among the most preventable and curable cancers.
“With proper access to vaccination, screening and treatment, cervical cancer can be eliminated as a public health problem,” the WHO stated.
The organisation recommends HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14, before sexual debut, and routine cervical screening from age 30, or 25 for women living with HIV.
Experts say when the disease is detected early, it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, with high survival rates.
However, unequal access to prevention and treatment remains a major challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and Southeast Asia, where incidence and mortality rates are significantly higher.
In 2020, 194 countries adopted a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, with November 17 now recognised as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.
The WHO outlined three key targets to be achieved by 2030: “Ninety per cent of girls should be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15.
Seventy per cent of women should be screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again at 45.
Seventy per cent of women diagnosed with cervical disease should receive appropriate treatment,” the organisation said.
The UN estimates that achieving these targets could prevent 74 million new cases of cervical cancer and save 62 million lives by 2120.
