The World Health Organization's South-East Asia region has issued a powerful call to action, urging member states to accelerate efforts toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. This urgent appeal comes on the occasion of World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, observed annually to reinforce global commitment against this preventable disease.
The Current Cervical Cancer Landscape
Cervical cancer remains a significant health threat across the South-East Asia region, with alarming statistics highlighting the urgent need for intervention. According to WHO data, the region records approximately 180,000 new cases of cervical cancer each year. Tragically, the disease claims about 116,000 lives annually in the region, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.
Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the gravity of the situation while expressing optimism about the possibility of elimination. "We have the tools and the knowledge to eliminate cervical cancer," she stated, highlighting that this represents a historic opportunity to protect future generations from this devastating disease.
Three-Pronged Strategy for Elimination
The WHO has outlined a comprehensive three-pillar approach that countries must implement to achieve cervical cancer elimination targets. The first and most crucial component focuses on vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. WHO recommends that 90% of girls should be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15.
The second pillar involves screening, with the target being 70% of women screened using high-performance tests by age 35 and again by age 45. Early detection through effective screening methods can identify precancerous conditions before they develop into invasive cancer.
The third critical component focuses on treatment and care. WHO aims for 90% of women with pre-cancer to receive appropriate treatment, while ensuring that 90% of women with invasive cancer have access to proper management and palliative care.
Progress and Challenges in the Region
Several countries in the South-East Asia region have made significant strides in their fight against cervical cancer. Bhutan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have successfully introduced HPV vaccination into their national immunization programs, reaching substantial numbers of adolescent girls. Additionally, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand have initiated nationwide screening programs for cervical cancer.
However, challenges remain in scaling up these interventions to achieve the ambitious 90-70-90 targets set by WHO. The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly disrupted cervical cancer prevention and control services in many countries, creating setbacks that need to be addressed through renewed commitment and accelerated action.
Dr. Singh stressed the importance of integrating cervical cancer services into primary health care and national health insurance schemes. She also highlighted the critical need to combat stigma and discrimination associated with the disease, which often prevents women from seeking timely screening and treatment.
The Path Forward: Integration and Innovation
The WHO South-East Asia region is advocating for a multi-sectoral approach that combines political commitment, community engagement, and technological innovation. Integrating cervical cancer prevention with reproductive health, HIV, and adolescent health programs can create synergies and improve efficiency in service delivery.
Innovative approaches such as self-sampling for HPV testing and single-visit 'see-and-treat' methods are being promoted to increase screening coverage, especially in remote and underserved areas. These approaches can help overcome barriers related to accessibility and privacy concerns that often prevent women from undergoing regular screening.
As Dr. Singh powerfully concluded, "Every case of cervical cancer is a preventable tragedy". With strong political will, adequate resources, and coordinated action across all sectors, the elimination of cervical cancer in the South-East Asia region is an achievable goal that could save hundreds of thousands of lives in the coming years.
