Comprehensive cervical cancer prevention and control: a healthier future for girls and women

Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, with about 500 000 new cases and 250 000 deaths each year. Almost 80% of cases occur in low-income countries.
New technological developments offer the potential to tackle cervical cancer in a more comprehensive way and build a healthier future for girls and women. Comprehensive cervical cancer prevention and control - a healthier future for girls and women is a new WHO guidance note for senior policy makers and programme managers.

• See WHO guidance note
• Statistical information on cancers
  International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

A demonstration project led by WHO in six African countries in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and the International Agency for Research on Cancer showed the feasibility of integrating visual inspection with acetic acid followed by cryotherapy as a “see and treat” approach to prevent and control cervical cancer in primary health care and reproductive health services. As a result each country involved has presented and started to implement a budgeted plan to scale-up these services nationwide.

• A demonstration project in six African countries: Malawi, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia

Comprehensive cervical cancer control - a guide to essential practice

This guide focuses on the knowledge and skills needed by health care providers, at different levels of care, in order to offer quality services for prevention, screening, treatment of cervical cancer.

• Download guide

In response to new etiologic evidence, improved technology, and promising HPV vaccine efforts, cervical cancer epidemiologic and preventive efforts are being reshaped throughout the world. Activities are focused on preparing for HPV vaccine introduction in developing countries.

• Human papillomavirus vaccine support
  GAVI Alliance
• Report of the GAVI–UNFPA–WHO meeting
• WHO position paper
• Evidence grading tables