Eliminating cervical cancer: goal, strategies and action taken

By Admin

18 Nov, 2025

Subheading: A Landmark Step Toward Women’s Health Equity
Cervical cancer remains one of the strongest indicators of global health inequity. Nearly 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment continues to be extremely limited. On November 17, 2025, the world observes the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This milestone comes five years after the World Health Assembly set ambitious targets to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, aligning the effort with the Sustainable Development Goals on poverty reduction, health, gender equality, and reducing inequality.

Subheading: The Global Goal and Strategic Milestones
The WHO’s strategy is grounded in one fundamental belief   no woman should die from a disease that is both preventable and curable when detected early. To achieve elimination, the WHO established measurable milestones known as the 90-70-90 targets:
• 90% HPV vaccination coverage among school-going girls
• 70% screening coverage for women aged 35–45 years
• 90% treatment coverage for confirmed precancerous or cancer cases
The ultimate elimination threshold is to reduce cervical cancer incidence to fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women-years by 2030.

Subheading: Understanding the Global Burden
The global burden of cervical cancer continues to rise, especially in LMICs. Women often present with advanced disease due to limited healthcare access and years of unnoticed symptoms. In 2018, the world recorded 570,000 new cases and 311,000 deaths. By 2030, projections estimate up to 700,000 new cases and 400,000 deaths annually. The disease predominantly affects women during their most economically active years, impacting households, caregiving responsibilities, and community participation.

Subheading: The Epidemiology of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), especially high-risk strains like HPV 16 and 18. While most HPV infections clear naturally, a small fraction persist and cause precancerous changes over many years. Risk factors such as early marriage, early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, high parity, poor genital hygiene, smoking, and HIV infection significantly increase vulnerability. Social determinants   including lack of education, stigma, and poor awareness   further delay care-seeking, allowing the disease to progress.

Subheading: Prevention Framework   Primary, Secondary & Tertiary
The WHO’s elimination strategy rests on three prevention pillars:
• Primary Prevention: Achieve 90% HPV vaccination coverage for girls aged 9–14, supported by sexuality education, tobacco control, and safe sexual practices.
• Secondary Prevention: Ensure 70% of women aged 35 and 45 undergo screening using HPV DNA testing, with timely follow-up for positive cases.
• Tertiary Prevention: Provide 90% treatment coverage through surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative care for invasive cancer.

Subheading: India’s Progress Toward Elimination
India is advancing across all three levels of prevention. For primary prevention, the government has announced phased HPV vaccination for adolescent girls through school and community delivery models. Communication campaigns aim to counter misinformation and increase acceptance. Secondary prevention is implemented under the National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases, recommending screening for women above 30 years using VIA-VILI at primary health centres. Tertiary care capacity is expanding through new oncology units, radiotherapy machines, and strengthened referral systems, though access still varies by region and affordability.

Subheading: Importance of Strong Surveillance Systems
Reliable data is critical for tracking progress toward elimination. Population-based cancer registries help monitor incidence, while medical certification of cause of death ensures accuracy in mortality data. Surveillance also tracks vaccination coverage, screening uptake, treatment success, and survival outcomes. In India, ICMR maintains cancer registries while the Registrar General oversees medical death certification   both essential in evaluating progress toward the elimination threshold.

Subheading: Collaborative Action for a Global Goal
Cervical cancer elimination offers strong economic and social returns. For every $1 invested, the world stands to gain $3.20 by 2050   rising to $26 when considering broader social benefits. Reaching elimination by 2030 could keep 250,000 women in the workforce and contribute nearly $28 billion to the global economy with an investment of just $10.5 billion. WHO highlights the importance of political will, cross-sector coordination, school immunization programs, community health workers, women’s groups, and survivor advocates. These partnerships are crucial in dispelling myths, strengthening awareness, and ensuring equitable access to services.

Subheading: A Transformative Moment for Women’s Health
World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day 2025 marks the shift from aspiration to global action. With clear targets, well-defined strategies, and proven tools, the world stands at the brink of achieving something historic   eliminating the first cancer through public health intervention. If nations meet the vaccination, screening, and treatment targets by 2030, cervical cancer could become a disease of the past, ensuring millions of women live healthier, empowered, and longer lives.