UK (Commonwealth Union)_ Across the Commonwealth, stakeholders have united to deliver poignant and impassioned messages urging for increased screening, vaccination, and awareness campaigns to alleviate the burden of cervical cancer. These calls to action resounded during a webinar convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat, coinciding with Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Janneth Mghamba, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Health Advisor, spearheaded the event, which garnered a substantial virtual audience, with over 200 participants in attendance.
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Amidst a backdrop of escalating cervical cancer cases, speakers ranging from First Ladies to High Commissioners, members of the Commonwealth International Cervical Cancer Task Force, partner organizations, public health experts, and youth advocates collaborated with the Secretariat to confront the mounting crisis across Commonwealth nations. Dr. Miriam Mutebi, Chair of the Commonwealth International Cervical Cancer Task Force, skillfully moderated the proceedings, emphasizing the imperative for advocacy, collective mobilization, and enhanced resource allocation to drive forward the agenda for cervical cancer eradication.
Many participants underscored that cervical cancer is a preventable and treatable disease. A disconcerting 2022 report revealed that Commonwealth member states account for a staggering 40% of global cervical cancer incidence and 43% of related deaths. This alarming trend signifies a pressing need for intensified efforts within Commonwealth nations to combat this scourge. The escalating health inequities highlighted during the webinar underscored the profound disruption cervical cancer inflicts upon families, communities, and entire nations. Particularly in low and middle-income countries, cervical cancer imposes a significant economic burden. Reducing disparities in access to preventive services, screening, vaccination, and early treatment is paramount to alleviating societal strain in developing nations.
In her address, Commonwealth Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC emphasized the multifaceted barriers to access that impede cervical cancer prevention and screening efforts, urging countries to adopt comprehensive national policies and programs to bolster elimination endeavors. She stated, “Barriers to access are complex, multifaceted and face us at every level of society. Too many countries do not yet have national cervical cancer prevention and screening policies and programmes, which serve as vital tools in our elimination efforts.”
First Lady Monica Geingos of Namibia drew attention to the alarming rise in cervical cancer mortality rates, particularly in impoverished regions. She asserted that geographical location should not dictate access to life-saving interventions, while also emphasizing the indiscriminate nature of cancer across demographics. Echoing this sentiment, First Lady Jeannette Kagame of Rwanda emphasized the collective obligation to mitigate the disproportionately high cancer mortality rates in developing nations, highlighting the pivotal role of robust political leadership in driving successful implementation of elimination strategies.
First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of The Gambia, First Lady Mariam Mwinyi of Zanzibar, and Rossana Maria Briceño, spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize, echoed these sentiments, articulating their respective countries’ commitments to early detection, vaccination, and treatment initiatives. The webinar fostered discussions aimed at dispelling pervasive myths and misconceptions hindering cancer prevention efforts, while also addressing key challenges obstructing progress in cervical cancer eradication across the Commonwealth.
Anita Graham, representing the Commonwealth Youth Health Network (CYHN), outlined the group’s endeavors to support cervical cancer elimination through public awareness campaigns, advocacy initiatives, and efforts to increase vaccine accessibility. Additionally, the proactive engagement of youth networks complements the overarching efforts of the Commonwealth International Cervical Cancer Task Force, underscoring the collaborative approach championed by the Secretariat’s Health team in advancing the agenda for cervical cancer elimination.
