Washington, D.C. – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a report today titled, “Saving Women’s Lives: Accelerating Action to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Globally.” The report examines the growing burden of cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) around the world and calls on Congress to dedicate a portion of U.S. global health funding to improve access to preventive vaccinations, screenings and treatment through international health initiatives.
Cervical cancer remains the primary cause of cancer-related death among women in LMICs, accounting for 90 percent of all cervical cancer deaths globally. Without timely action, global deaths from cervical cancer are projected to rise nearly 47 percent by 2040. ACS CAN will co-host a congressional briefing this Thursday, February 14 to discuss with lawmakers how, with U.S. investment and action, eliminating deaths from cervical cancer can be realized.
A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, follows:
“No woman has to die from cervical cancer. Tremendous progress has been made in the United States in the fight against this disease over the past 30 years, resulting in cervical cancer death rates dropping by 50 percent domestically. In contrast, incidence rates are exponentially higher in other areas around the world, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Today cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for women in 42 countries. These high rates of cervical cancer around the globe clearly illustrate the need for timely action.
“Because virtually all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), by ensuring girls and women in LMICs have access to the HPV vaccine, along with services to screen and treat cervical cancer, we can actually end death from cervical cancer worldwide.
“The report outlines the tremendous opportunity that exists for the U.S. government to join with other international stakeholders and accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer globally. We have the knowledge and tools to make a cervical cancer-free world a reality. The time for action is now and Congress must seize this opportunity to scale up vaccination and screening rates around the world to save more girls’ and women’s lives from this disease.”