WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a global call for action towards the elimination of cervical cancer. This is in line with the targets of WHO’s General Programme of Work: 1 billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage; 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies; and 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being.
We have the tools to achieve global elimination of cervical cancer. We also have the political commitment. Several countries and UN agencies have already joined forces under the UN Joint Global Programme on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control.
The world is doing something, but to succeed, we need everyone on board. From governments and UN agencies to researchers, healthcare professionals and individuals, we all have a role to play. As the manufacturers of life-saving vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, the private sector is also a key partner in this mission.
Every minute, one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer. Each year, more than 300 000 women die of cervical cancer.
If we do not act, deaths from cervical cancer will rise by almost 50% by 2040.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. We must ensure that all girls are vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and that every woman over 30 is screened and treated for pre-cancerous lesions.
The problem
Each year, more than 300 000 women die of cervical cancer. More than half a million women are diagnosed. Every minute, one woman is diagnosed. Cervical cancer is one of the greatest threats to women's health. Each death is a tragedy, and we can prevent it. Most of these women are not diagnosed early enough, and lack access to life-saving treatment. Studies have shown that prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer are also highly cost-effective.
Nine in 10 women who die from cervical cancer are in poor countries. This means some of the most vulnerable women in our world are dying unnecessarily. This is not fair or just. Rising cervical cancer deaths is undermining health gains for women made in maternal health and HIV care. Current disparity in survival from cervical cancer, which varies between 33-77%, is unacceptable and can be minimized.
It doesn't have to be this way
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. We can reduce new diagnoses in two ways, HPV vaccination and screening of the cervix with follow on treatment of early changes before cancer appears.
Currently, most women diagnosed with cervical cancer are diagnosed with advanced cancers, where opportunity for cure is small. This compounded by lack of access to life-saving treatment in settings where the burden and need is highest.
Now is the time for global elimination of cervical cancer.
Our challenge
We must accelerate progress. We must ensure that all girls globally are vaccinated against HPV and that every woman over 30 is screened and treated for pre-cancerous lesions. To achieve that, we need innovative technologies and strategies. We must improve access to diagnosis and treatment of invasive cancers at their earliest stages and ensure that availability of palliative care for women who need it.
All of these services must be embedded in strong health systems aimed at delivering universal health coverage. High-income countries have shown the way. Now is the time for global elimination.
Urgent action is needed
Urgent action is needed to scale up implementation of proven cost-effective measures towards the elimination of cervical cancer as a global public health problem. These actions include vaccination against human papillomavirus, screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, early detection and prompt treatment of early invasive cancers and palliative care. This will require political commitment and greater international cooperation and support for equitable access, including strategies for resource mobilization.
"Elimination of cervical cancer as a global health problem is within reach for all countries.
We know what works, and we now need to scale up our actions to prevent and control this disease."
- Dr Princess Nono Simelela, Assistant Director-General for Family, Women's and Children's Health, WHO
Cervical cancer information for women and girls
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina).
Its primary cause is the infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV).
Cervical cancer is caused by sexually acquired infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women. Virtually all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to genital infection with HPV and it is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. HPV can also cause other types of anogenital cancer, head and neck cancers, and genital warts in both men and women. HPV infections are transmitted through sexual contact.
The HPV vaccine and the screening and treatment of precancerous lesions can prevent cervical cancer.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?
If left untreated, precancerous lesions may progress to cervical cancer, but this progression usually takes 10-20 years.
Symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include:
irregular bleeding (e.g., between periods or after sexual intercourse);
postmenopausal spotting or bleeding;
increased vaginal discharge, sometimes foul-smelling;
More severe symptoms may arise at advanced stages.
Abnormal bleeding doesn't mean you have cervical cancer, but you should see your doctor as soon as possible to get it checked.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination
There are currently vaccines that protect against common cancer-causing types of human papilloma virus and can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
The vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is effective and safe. It protects against infection from HPV, which causes cervical cancer.
Immunizing against HPV 16 and 18 can prevent most cervical cancer cases. It works, and it saves lives. WHO recommends vaccination for girls aged 9-13 years as this is the most cost-effective public health measure against cervical cancer.
HPV vaccination does not replace cervical cancer screening (previously known as a “smear test”).
In countries where HPV vaccine is introduced, screening programmes for women at age 30-49 years may still need to be developed or strengthened.
Check out these Questions and Answers and informative videos about the HPV vaccination and how safe it is..
Screening and treatment of precancerous lesions
All adult women should undergo periodic cervical cancer screening to detect lesions in the cervix that, if left untreated, can develop into cervical cancer.
Screening aims to detect precancerous changes, which, if not treated, may lead to cancer.
Cervical screening is a method of detecting high-risk human papillomavirus infection. The cervix is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina. During some screenings, a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix and checked under a microscope for abnormalities.
An abnormal cervical screening test result does not mean you have cancer. Most abnormal results are due to signs of HPV, the presence of treatable precancerous cells, or both, rather than cancer itself.
Detecting and removing precancerous lesions can prevent cervical cancer.
Women who are found to have abnormalities on screening need follow-up, diagnosis and treatment, to prevent the development of cancer or to treat cancer at an early stage.
Contact your doctor to arrange a cervical screening.
Treatment | Management of invasive cervical cancer
Cervical cancers detected in early stages have a high potential to be cured. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care.
If cervical cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, surgery and/or radiotherapy are the primary treatment options.
More advanced cases of cervical cancer are usually treated using a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
For metastatic cancer, palliative care should be provided as well as psychological support.
Read more about WHO’s work on Cancer Control.
We have the tools to achieve global elimination of cervical cancer. We also have the political commitment. Several countries and UN agencies have already joined forces under the UN Joint Global Programme on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control.
The world is doing something, but to succeed, we need everyone on board. From governments and UN agencies to researchers, healthcare professionals and individuals, we all have a role to play. As the manufacturers of life-saving vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, the private sector is also a key partner in this mission.
Every minute, one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer. Each year, more than 300 000 women die of cervical cancer.
If we do not act, deaths from cervical cancer will rise by almost 50% by 2040.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. We must ensure that all girls are vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and that every woman over 30 is screened and treated for pre-cancerous lesions.
The problem
Each year, more than 300 000 women die of cervical cancer. More than half a million women are diagnosed. Every minute, one woman is diagnosed. Cervical cancer is one of the greatest threats to women's health. Each death is a tragedy, and we can prevent it. Most of these women are not diagnosed early enough, and lack access to life-saving treatment. Studies have shown that prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer are also highly cost-effective.
Nine in 10 women who die from cervical cancer are in poor countries. This means some of the most vulnerable women in our world are dying unnecessarily. This is not fair or just. Rising cervical cancer deaths is undermining health gains for women made in maternal health and HIV care. Current disparity in survival from cervical cancer, which varies between 33-77%, is unacceptable and can be minimized.
It doesn't have to be this way
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. We can reduce new diagnoses in two ways, HPV vaccination and screening of the cervix with follow on treatment of early changes before cancer appears.
Currently, most women diagnosed with cervical cancer are diagnosed with advanced cancers, where opportunity for cure is small. This compounded by lack of access to life-saving treatment in settings where the burden and need is highest.
Now is the time for global elimination of cervical cancer.
Our challenge
We must accelerate progress. We must ensure that all girls globally are vaccinated against HPV and that every woman over 30 is screened and treated for pre-cancerous lesions. To achieve that, we need innovative technologies and strategies. We must improve access to diagnosis and treatment of invasive cancers at their earliest stages and ensure that availability of palliative care for women who need it.
All of these services must be embedded in strong health systems aimed at delivering universal health coverage. High-income countries have shown the way. Now is the time for global elimination.
Urgent action is needed
Urgent action is needed to scale up implementation of proven cost-effective measures towards the elimination of cervical cancer as a global public health problem. These actions include vaccination against human papillomavirus, screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, early detection and prompt treatment of early invasive cancers and palliative care. This will require political commitment and greater international cooperation and support for equitable access, including strategies for resource mobilization.
"Elimination of cervical cancer as a global health problem is within reach for all countries.
We know what works, and we now need to scale up our actions to prevent and control this disease."
- Dr Princess Nono Simelela, Assistant Director-General for Family, Women's and Children's Health, WHO
Cervical cancer information for women and girls
Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina).
Its primary cause is the infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV).
Cervical cancer is caused by sexually acquired infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women. Virtually all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to genital infection with HPV and it is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. HPV can also cause other types of anogenital cancer, head and neck cancers, and genital warts in both men and women. HPV infections are transmitted through sexual contact.
The HPV vaccine and the screening and treatment of precancerous lesions can prevent cervical cancer.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?
If left untreated, precancerous lesions may progress to cervical cancer, but this progression usually takes 10-20 years.
Symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include:
irregular bleeding (e.g., between periods or after sexual intercourse);
postmenopausal spotting or bleeding;
increased vaginal discharge, sometimes foul-smelling;
More severe symptoms may arise at advanced stages.
Abnormal bleeding doesn't mean you have cervical cancer, but you should see your doctor as soon as possible to get it checked.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination
There are currently vaccines that protect against common cancer-causing types of human papilloma virus and can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
The vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is effective and safe. It protects against infection from HPV, which causes cervical cancer.
Immunizing against HPV 16 and 18 can prevent most cervical cancer cases. It works, and it saves lives. WHO recommends vaccination for girls aged 9-13 years as this is the most cost-effective public health measure against cervical cancer.
HPV vaccination does not replace cervical cancer screening (previously known as a “smear test”).
In countries where HPV vaccine is introduced, screening programmes for women at age 30-49 years may still need to be developed or strengthened.
Check out these Questions and Answers and informative videos about the HPV vaccination and how safe it is..
Screening and treatment of precancerous lesions
All adult women should undergo periodic cervical cancer screening to detect lesions in the cervix that, if left untreated, can develop into cervical cancer.
Screening aims to detect precancerous changes, which, if not treated, may lead to cancer.
Cervical screening is a method of detecting high-risk human papillomavirus infection. The cervix is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina. During some screenings, a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix and checked under a microscope for abnormalities.
An abnormal cervical screening test result does not mean you have cancer. Most abnormal results are due to signs of HPV, the presence of treatable precancerous cells, or both, rather than cancer itself.
Detecting and removing precancerous lesions can prevent cervical cancer.
Women who are found to have abnormalities on screening need follow-up, diagnosis and treatment, to prevent the development of cancer or to treat cancer at an early stage.
Contact your doctor to arrange a cervical screening.
Treatment | Management of invasive cervical cancer
Cervical cancers detected in early stages have a high potential to be cured. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care.
If cervical cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, surgery and/or radiotherapy are the primary treatment options.
More advanced cases of cervical cancer are usually treated using a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
For metastatic cancer, palliative care should be provided as well as psychological support.
Read more about WHO’s work on Cancer Control.
