Urgent action needed to prevent 70,000 cervical cancer deaths annually in Africa

BOTSWANA — In a critical call to action, health leaders and donors convened at the Seventy-third session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Gaborone, Botswana, to address the pressing issue of cervical cancer in the African region.

With 19 of the world’s 20 highest-burden countries for the disease located in Africa, urgent steps are necessary to save lives and achieve global targets for cervical cancer elimination by 2030.

The fight against cervical cancer in Africa has reached a pivotal juncture, with the potential to avert approximately 70,000 deaths each year if immediate measures are taken.

During the Seventy-third session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, health leaders and donors rallied for swift action to enhance access to essential services for timely detection, care, and prevention of cervical cancer.

Africa, home to 19 of the 20 countries globally burdened with a high prevalence of cervical cancer, faces a daunting challenge.

The WHO’s global targets aim to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2023. To achieve this, countries must accomplish specific milestones: vaccinate 90% of women and girls with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, achieve a 70% cancer screening rate, and ensure 90% of women and girls with cancer receive treatment.

Currently, only 31% of girls in the African region received the first dose of the HPV vaccine by the age of 15 in 2022, despite the introduction of the vaccine in 26 countries.

Human papillomavirus-based screening is available in just 16 countries at the sub-national level. To meet the global targets for 2030, vaccination coverage must reach 90% in 20 countries by 2024.

In at least 10 of these countries, national screening rates should reach 25% for women aged 30–49 years, accompanied by a corresponding increase in treatment rates.

H.E. Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi, First Lady of Botswana, emphasized the significance of women’s health in national well-being, stating, “The health and well-being of women is the health and well-being of our nations.”

She further affirmed the commitment of African First Ladies to achieving cervical cancer elimination within one generation.

Despite the urgency of the situation, government prioritization of cervical cancer control programs remains low, resulting in insufficient financial and human resources allocation.

Challenges such as limited capacity among health workers, low disease awareness, and the high cost of supplies and vaccines hinder effective control efforts.

Nonetheless, progress has been made in recent years, with nearly 40% of countries providing the first dose of the vaccine to girls achieving 70% coverage.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stressed the importance of early detection and prevention, stating, “Through early detection, care, and prevention with vaccines, women and girls in our region can be protected from cervical cancer.”

She underscored the WHO’s commitment to supporting national health priorities and expanding access to cancer control services.

WHO, in collaboration with partners and donors, is actively working to prioritize cervical cancer control by increasing access to screening, vaccination, and treatment.

Strategies such as single-dose vaccination and integration of the HPV vaccine into existing health programs are being deployed to expand prevention and treatment efforts.

Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust and the Foundation for Community Development, urged African leaders to make bold commitments and strategic investments in cervical cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and support.

She emphasized the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in protecting adolescents and women from cervical cancer.

Efforts are also underway to address disparities in access to services among vulnerable populations and to ensure equitable access to affordable vaccines, particularly among high-risk groups.

Collaboration with communities, youth organizations, NGOs, and the private sector is deemed critical in widening access to cancer control services.

Cervical cancer, primarily caused by the human papillomavirus, ranks as the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, claiming over 300,000 lives annually.

Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, acknowledged the disproportionate burden faced by women in lower-income countries and pledged support for HPV vaccination programs to reach those who need them most.

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