Can We Beat Cervical Cancer for Good? The Secret Weapon Lies on HPV Vaccines and Early Screenings

Cervical cancer is the first cancer targeted for potential complete eradication through prevention strategies, with the World Health Organization (WHO) establishing a global elimination strategy. As part of this initiative, the WHO, in collaboration with United Nations agencies, launched the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, a platform for sharing knowledge on HPV and advancing efforts toward eliminating the disease. According to WHO statistics, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally, with 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths reported in 2022. 

The organization has emphasized the importance of vaccination, early screening, and treatment in the fight against cervical cancer. Vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the primary cause of cervical cancer, plays a significant role in preventing new cases. Many countries are working toward the WHO’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem within the next few decades by increasing access to these preventive measures.

WHO Aims to Vaccinate 90% of Girls Aged 9-14 Against HPV to Prevent Cervical Cancer

HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 90% of cervical cancers. The virus spreads primarily through sexual contact, infecting the cervix, vagina, penis, anus, and even the mouth and throat. HPV shows no symptoms and the immune system often clears it, but persistent infections in the cervix lead to cell mutations. These mutations may eventually result in cervical cancer if left untreated.

The introduction of the HPV vaccine has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer, with the WHO recommending vaccination for all girls aged 9 to 14 before sexual activity. Some countries have also expanded vaccination efforts to include boys, aiming to further reduce the prevalence of HPV and prevent HPV-related cancers in men. However, the challenge remains that many low- and middle-income countries lack sufficient access to the HPV vaccine, contributing to high rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in these regions. To address this disparity, the WHO has set a target to vaccinate more than 90% of 15-year-old girls with the HPV vaccine in the coming decades​.

FDA-Approved At-Home HPV Screening Kits Offer Convenient Alternatives for Cervical Cancer Detection

In addition to preventive vaccines, early screening plays a crucial role in cervical cancer prevention. Traditionally, cervical cancer screening required visits to medical institutions for pelvic exams and Pap smears, which were often inconvenient for women in remote areas. However, advancements have been made with the development of at-home self-screening kits that have received FDA approval, such as the BD Onclarity HPV Assay and Roche’s Cobas HPV Test. 

Additionally, the Teal Wand, a home-use cervical cancer screening device developed by Teal Health, has been granted expedited FDA review. These innovations improve access to screening for women who are less likely to undergo traditional screenings or prefer not to visit healthcare facilities.

Dr. William Dahut, chief scientist of the American Cancer Society, emphasized: “Cervical cancer screening helps detect cancer early, but not all women undergo regular screenings. Women who do not undergo regular screenings or avoid screening altogether account for most cervical cancer cases.”

2030 Cervical Cancer Elimination Targets Include 90% Vaccination, 70% Screening, and 90% Treatment

WHO’s global strategy for cervical cancer elimination aims to reduce new cases to fewer than 4 per 100,000 women annually. To achieve this goal by 2030, the WHO has outlined three key targets for all countries: 90% of girls should receive the HPV vaccine by the age of 15, 70% of women should undergo high-quality screening by the ages of 35 and 45, and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease should receive appropriate treatment. According to modeling estimates, meeting these targets could prevent approximately 74 million new cases and 62 million deaths by 2120. These targets highlight the urgent need for action to meet the cervical cancer elimination objective.

Author

Denisse Sandoval