Member states of the World Health Organisation’s Regional Committee for Europe are being asked to back a new roadmap for the elimination of cervical cancer in the European Region.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents cervical cancer by giving protection against the most common types of HPV. It is recommended at nine to 14 years of age, when it can reduce pre-cancerous lesions and cervical cancer by almost 90%.
It is diagnosed in over 66,000 women each year in the 53 member states of the European Region. Detection at an early stage varies from 35% to over 80% in different countries.
The roadmap was presented yesterday at the 72nd Regional Committee for Europe in Tel Aviv, Israel. Countries are called on to reach 90% national vaccination coverage by 2030 to meet the elimination goal.
Director of Country Health Programmes at WHO/Europe, Dr Nino Berdzuli, said: “As a gynaecologist who has treated women with cervical cancer, I have witnessed the fear people experience of a cancer growing in one’s body. Yet cervical cancer is preventable. No woman should die from it.
“A cervical cancer free future is within our grasp. This is a momentous opportunity for political and health leaders to achieve cervical cancer elimination.
"We have the knowledge and tools, but we need stronger and more consistent commitments to make elimination possible across our region. We must end the inequalities between and within countries in mortality, vaccination and screening.
"Through equitable delivery of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, national organised screening programmes and quality treatment, we can prevent and treat cervical cancer.”
Roadmap to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the WHO European Region 2022-2030: [ Link ]
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