Eliminating cervical cancer through HPV vaccination
A new FIGO position statement published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (IJGO) shares the growing body of evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the HPV Vaccine and urges countries to strengthen HPV vaccination programmes to eliminate cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women globally. The burden is heaviest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where limited access to screening and treatment has contributed to higher incidence and mortality rates.
In a comprehensive statement released today, FIGO calls for urgent, coordinated action to scale up HPV vaccination, reaffirming its safety and effectiveness as a public health strategy to eliminate cancer.
The statement underscores the urgent need for:
- universal access to HPV vaccines,
- integration of HPV vaccination into national immunisation schedules,
- strong public health messaging to combat misinformation,
- community engagement to address cultural and societal barriers,
- gender-neutral vaccination policies where feasible.
The elimination of cervical cancer is a key focus for both FIGO and WHO. Prevention along with early detection and treatment are essential to this goal and universal access to HPV vaccination should be a priority. It represents a commitment to equity, health and the empowerment of women worldwide. - Dr Anna Marshall, lead author
HPV vaccination represents one of the greatest opportunities for cancer prevention in public health history. With robust international collaboration, political commitment and grassroots mobilisation, the dream of eliminating cervical cancer could soon become reality.