(Commonwealth_ The World Cancer Congress recently concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, where a series of impactful recommendations were presented, targeting the elimination of cervical cancer—a disease claiming nearly 10 million lives globally each year. These recommendations have the potential to make a significant difference if effectively implemented, with the ultimate goal of drastically reducing cervical cancer cases and saving lives.
Running from September 17–19, 2024, the congress featured a side event co-hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat, TogetHER for Health, and Roche Diagnostics International Limited. This event, which centered on the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer elimination within the Commonwealth, underscored a unified commitment to tackling one of the most preventable yet deadly cancers affecting women worldwide. The side event took the form of a policy roundtable discussion under the theme, “Saving the Lives of the World’s Current Generation of Women: Forging the Pathway to Elimination of Cervical Cancer.” This gathering brought together an array of stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, oncologists, advocates, and survivors, each contributing insights and strategies to improve cervical cancer prevention and care across the Commonwealth nations.
The rising prevalence of cervical cancer in the Commonwealth presents a formidable challenge, with the number of new cases projected to increase by 55 percent and associated deaths by 62 percent by the year 2030. Without urgent action, cervical cancer could claim one life every three minutes within the Commonwealth by that time. The congress discussions emphasized the immediate need to improve access to both screening and treatment for women, especially those who are beyond the typical age for receiving the prophylactic HPV vaccine, a vaccine that significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer but is less effective for those already exposed to the virus.
Central to the conversation was the need to bolster awareness and implementation of the WHO’s global strategy for cervical cancer elimination. Specifically, Pillar 2 (screening) and Pillar 3 (treatment) of the strategy were identified as critical areas needing greater visibility and integration into national health policies. Although substantial awareness has been created around the importance of HPV vaccination (Pillar 1), participants highlighted that screening and treatment services often remain inaccessible to women most at risk—particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where, shockingly, fewer than 5 percent of women have ever been screened for cervical cancer.
Participants noted that cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in LMICs, where healthcare infrastructure and resources are often limited. The absence of effective screening and timely treatment in these regions leads to higher mortality rates, especially among women of reproductive age who are crucial to family and community well-being. To address these challenges, experts emphasized the importance of a sustainable and well-integrated service delivery ecosystem that would support national screening and treatment programs designed to save lives and prevent cervical cancer from advancing to fatal stages.
Expanding these essential services is not only a matter of access but also of improving education and awareness. In many Commonwealth countries, limited awareness about cervical cancer risks and preventive measures poses a major barrier to the success of screening programs. Community-level education initiatives are needed to inform women about the availability and importance of screening and treatment. Furthermore, policymakers must advocate for funding and resources to scale these programs, ensuring that they reach the women most vulnerable to cervical cancer.
The discussions highlighted additional solutions, such as integrating cervical cancer screening into existing healthcare services, particularly maternal and reproductive health services. Such integration could make screening services more accessible and reduce stigma, encouraging more women to participate in routine screenings. Experts also stressed the importance of leveraging digital health technologies to support cervical cancer elimination, with digital platforms providing a means for patient outreach, appointment scheduling, and reminders for follow-up care.
Moreover, partnerships with private-sector organizations, like those formed by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Roche Diagnostics, play a crucial role in providing the technical expertise, funding, and resources needed to scale screening and treatment programs. These partnerships also enable technology transfer and capacity-building efforts within LMICs, which can ultimately support the development of local infrastructure for cervical cancer screening and treatment.
The Geneva event concluded with a collective call for action across sectors—governments, private companies, and civil society organizations. The elimination of cervical cancer within the Commonwealth is achievable, but it requires a commitment to expand and sustain accessible, equitable healthcare services for all women. The recommendations put forth at the congress underscore the urgent need for integrated, robust public health systems capable of delivering on the promise of eliminating cervical cancer for the current generation of women. This pathway forward will require continuous advocacy, resource mobilization, and a commitment to breaking down the barriers to accessible care, so that no woman’s life is cut short by a preventable disease.