Building a future free of Cervical Cancer in Africa
This learning event addressed the global disparities in cancer control
with a focus on cervical cancer in Africa
Summary prepared especially for Health Systems Flagship Alumni
By Miriam Schneidman
World Bank Group Flagship Core Team Member
Large disparities: Roughly 80% of the cancer disease burden is in Low and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) which account for only 5% of global cancer funding. Africa suffers from the highest burden of cervical cancer, a disease which is almost entirely preventable and manageable by ensuring that young girls are vaccinated with HPV vaccines, and women are diagnosed and treated early. Low levels of awareness and late health seeking behavior combined with poor access to prevention, screening and treatment contribute to late-stage diagnoses and fatal outcomes.
Regional targets: The WHO is supporting countries on the continent to attain the 90/70/90 targets of: (i) fully vaccinating 90% of girls by 15 years of age; (ii) screening 70% of women with a high precision test by 35 and by 45 years of age; and (iii) treating 90% of women identified with cervical cancer. WHO recommends a life-course approach to prevention and control of cervical cancer with age appropriate, cost-effective interventions (e.g., vaccination; screening for precancer; early diagnosis; prompt treatment; palliative care).
Promising progress: Several countries in Africa have embraced the cervical cancer elimination agenda and adopted a life cycle approach. Rwanda developed a strong HPV vaccination program, using a school-based strategy with a coverage rate of over 90%. Zambia, which has the third highest cervical cancer incidence in the world, has made remarkable progress scaling up the cervical cancer early detection, screening, and treatment program with 68% of pre-cancerous lesions treated.
Lessons learned: Both Rwanda and Zambia have shown what can be accomplished with: (i) strong political commitment and ownership; (ii) strong communication and community engagement to dispel rumors and myths; (iii) integration of interventions with other programs, leveraging and building health system capacity; (iv) adequate financing; and (v) meaningful partnerships with private sector, civil society, and development partners.
Many thanks to Flagship Alumni and other colleagues who joined us on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 to learn more about WHO’s cervical cancer elimination strategy for Africa and innovations from the frontlines in Rwanda and Zambia
Blog » Building a future free of Cervical Cancer in Africa - Summary from Nov. 2, 2022 Meeting
Building a future free of Cervical Cancer in Africa - Summary from Nov. 2, 2022 Meeting
Building a future free of Cervical Cancer in Africa
This learning event addressed the global disparities in cancer control
with a focus on cervical cancer in Africa
Summary prepared especially for Health Systems Flagship Alumni
By Miriam Schneidman
World Bank Group Flagship Core Team Member
Large disparities: Roughly 80% of the cancer disease burden is in Low and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) which account for only 5% of global cancer funding. Africa suffers from the highest burden of cervical cancer, a disease which is almost entirely preventable and manageable by ensuring that young girls are vaccinated with HPV vaccines, and women are diagnosed and treated early. Low levels of awareness and late health seeking behavior combined with poor access to prevention, screening and treatment contribute to late-stage diagnoses and fatal outcomes.
Regional targets: The WHO is supporting countries on the continent to attain the 90/70/90 targets of: (i) fully vaccinating 90% of girls by 15 years of age; (ii) screening 70% of women with a high precision test by 35 and by 45 years of age; and (iii) treating 90% of women identified with cervical cancer. WHO recommends a life-course approach to prevention and control of cervical cancer with age appropriate, cost-effective interventions (e.g., vaccination; screening for precancer; early diagnosis; prompt treatment; palliative care).
Promising progress: Several countries in Africa have embraced the cervical cancer elimination agenda and adopted a life cycle approach. Rwanda developed a strong HPV vaccination program, using a school-based strategy with a coverage rate of over 90%. Zambia, which has the third highest cervical cancer incidence in the world, has made remarkable progress scaling up the cervical cancer early detection, screening, and treatment program with 68% of pre-cancerous lesions treated.
Lessons learned: Both Rwanda and Zambia have shown what can be accomplished with: (i) strong political commitment and ownership; (ii) strong communication and community engagement to dispel rumors and myths; (iii) integration of interventions with other programs, leveraging and building health system capacity; (iv) adequate financing; and (v) meaningful partnerships with private sector, civil society, and development partners.
Many thanks to Flagship Alumni and other colleagues who joined us on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 to learn more about WHO’s cervical cancer elimination strategy for Africa and innovations from the frontlines in Rwanda and Zambia