WHO and partners are making efforts to fight cervical cancer

As world leaders arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the G20 summit this weekend, the city's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue will be lit up in blue-green. The Brazilian advocates behind the effort are among many around the world who have joined the World Health Organization (WHO) to mobilize efforts on the global “Day of Action to End Cervical Cancer.” Other countries mark the day with campaigns to provide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, launch new health policies that align with the world's first efforts to eliminate cancer, and raise awareness in communities.

Four years ago today, 194 countries decided to eliminate cervical cancer, and the WHO launched a global strategy. Significant progress has been made since then. At least 144 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, more than 60 countries now include HPV testing in their cervical screening programs, and 83 countries include cervical cancer surgical care services in health packages.

“I thank all the health workers who play a key role in this global effort,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO. “While we are making progress, we still face major inequalities, with women in low-income countries bearing the brunt. Only with strong leadership and sustained investment can we achieve our shared goal of equal access for the communities most in need.”

Marking this campaign for the fourth governments, partners and civil society are organizing various activities and commitments. This includes:

• Chile will announce a pilot action of self-collection by testing for HPV, which will be incorporated into the health reform and universal primary health care.
• China: Medical schools and hospitals will host a series of academic lectures, health runs and awareness illuminations in 31 cities.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo will host a three-day forum to launch a national strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, concluding with a march through Kinshasa to raise cervical cancer awareness.
• Ethiopia, with the support of Gavi, vaccination against HPV will be launched campaign with the goal of reaching more than 7 million girls.
• India: Civil society groups in different countries will host a series of activities that include awareness campaigns and training for health professionals.
• Ireland will launch its Action Plan to Achieve the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, one year after announcing on Action Day 2023 its goal to reach this milestone by 2040.
• of Japan The Department of Health, local councils and hospitals will light up over 70 landmarks across the country during their annual Teal Blue campaign.
• Nigeria will raise awareness through advocacy led by Nigerian First Ladies against Cancer.
• Rwanda will announce its goal of reaching the 90-70-90 targets by 2027, three years ahead of the WHO target.
• South African Institute of Health will start the training of health workers in 3 provinces.

Push for better tests

WHO launches new guidelines on target product profiles (TPPs) for HPV screening tests. This technical product describes preferred standards for new HPV tests. The tests should be able to work even in remote areas in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of disease is highest. TPPs emphasize the importance of tests that allow women to collect their own samples for testing; and the value of tools that enable HPV testing in settings closer to where women receive care.

The new publication aims to support innovation in the HPV testing market, highlighting high-performance, low-cost and affordable solutions, particularly transformative in resource-constrained settings.

Editor's note

In 2020, 194 countries decided to eliminate cancer for the first time, and the WHO launched A global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. This historical response to WThe invitation of the CEO of HO to action in 2018 catalyzed a social movement and started an annual tradition, bringing together communities around the world on Cervical Cancer Day of Action.