World Cancer Day: Early diagnosis of cervical cancer could save the lives of more than 300,000 women



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In a statement released Monday on the occasion of World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations, said that nine out of ten women who die from cervical cancer The uterus are native to poor countries, and that in the absence of measures, the disease will increase by almost 50% by 2040.

The WHO stresses that it is possible to reduce new diagnoses by ensuring that all girls aged 9 to 14 worldwide are vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of extremely widespread virus in the world, of which two types cause 70% of cervical infections cancers.

Women in developing countries have limited access to preventative measures and cervical cancer is often not identified until it reaches advanced stage. Access to treatment for advanced cervical cancer – surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy – is also very limited, resulting in higher mortality rates in these countries.

To achieve this goal, the WHO says that innovative technologies and strategies, access to diagnosis and early treatment of invasive cancers are needed. In addition, palliative care for women who need it must be insured.

All of these services must be part of strong health systems to ensure universal coverage, and will require political commitment, increased international cooperation and support for equitable access.

Several countries and UN agencies have already joined forces in the framework of the Joint United Nations Global Program on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, a five-year program to provide global leadership and technical badistance to governments and their program partners to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern around the world.

To be successful, the WHO says governments, UN agencies, researchers, health professionals and individuals all have a role to play, as do vaccine, diagnostic and treatment manufacturers. to save lives.

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