New York, NY – Key international stakeholders, diplomats and public health leaders will gather in New York City today to discuss ways to accelerate and collaborate on the global elimination of cervical cancer through vaccinations, screening, diagnostics and treatment. The meeting is hosted by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMedDx), the Noncommunicable Disease Alliance (NCDA), TogetHER, and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and comes just as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) holds its annual meeting.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 570,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018, representing 6.6 percent of all female cancers. Almost 90 percent of deaths from cervical cancer will occur in low- and middle-income countries. The sponsoring organizations and panelists will focus their discussion on efforts being made to increase access to HPV preventive vaccinations, screening and treatment, as well as innovative diagnostic testing which improves opportunities for the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
The following are statements from the sponsoring organizations of the panel discussion:
“Calls for global coordination to eliminate cervical cancer through improved screening and access to vaccinations illustrate the opportunity and potential we have to end the burden of this disease around the world. It’s a privilege to bring key stakeholders together to discuss efforts being made in various sectors that will allow the global community to pursue the elimination of this cancer. Identifying the tools available and the sectors willing to become engaged on this vital campaign will aid in accelerating efforts to eliminate cervical cancer moving forward.”
“Bringing diplomats, public health experts and other key stakeholders together to collaborate on efforts being made to expand access to HPV vaccinations, screenings and treatment will better align future endeavors aimed at eliminating cervical cancer. ACS CAN will continue to call for expanded vaccination initiatives and the integration of cervical cancer screening and treatment services into existing U.S. global health initiatives and we look forward to working with the stakeholders at today’s session who share the goal of ending deaths from this cancer.”
“We are pleased to take part in the discussion today with this distinguished group of stakeholders to get one step closer to eradicating cervical cancer—one of the world’s deadliest forms of cancer, but also one of the most preventable. Diagnostic tests, including the PAP test and HPV test have revolutionized the way that we detect cervical cancer, allowing for earlier diagnosis and delivery of treatment. AdvaMedDx members are comprised of the companies who research and develop these innovative diagnostic tests and we look forward to actively participating in strategies to improve access to these tests worldwide.”
“The UN HLM on NCDs, taking place this Thursday 27 September, is a unique opportunity to demand that leaders pass from commitments to action on noncommunicable diseases, including on cervical cancer. We know what needs to be done. In fact, WHO has designated the HPV vaccination as one of the NDC ‘best buys’ as it is both cost effective and evidence-based. As today’s meeting will show, multisectoral partnerships are prepared to lead the response to cervical cancer: it’s time for governments to join us.”
"We have the tools in our hands to end deaths from cervical cancer, and TogetHER is energized by funders’ and policy-makers’ growing interest in giving every girl and woman access to those tools. Beating cervical cancer is an achievable goal and will measurably move the world toward a key target of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases."
“Cervical cancer is preventable, but this opportunity to protect girls and women is not available to all. Cervical cancer is treatable when found at an early stage and we can help manage the often unbearable distress and pain from this disease, but again these critical services are not available to all. UICC is joining the global mission to eliminate cervical cancer and calls for advocates, experts and implementers across sectors to do the same. We have the tools, it is time to accelerate action towards elimination. Elimination is achievable in all countries and for all our communities and women.”
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.
About AdvaMedDx
AdvaMedDx member companies produce innovative, safe and effective in vitro diagnostic tests that facilitate evidence-based medicine, improve quality of patient care, promote wellness, enable early detection of disease and can reduce overall health care costs. Functioning as an association within AdvaMed, AdvaMedDx is dedicated to the issues facing in vitro diagnostic companies in the United States and abroad.
About NCD Alliance
The NCD Alliance is a unique civil society network, uniting 2,000 organisations in more than 170 countries, dedicated to improving NCD prevention and control worldwide. Together with strategic partners including the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and governments, NCDA works on a global, regional and national level to bring a united civil society voice to the global campaign on NCDs.
About TogetHER
TogetHER is a global public-private partnership building a movement to end cervical cancer. TogetHER coordinates campaigns to ensure greater access to vaccine that prevents cervical cancer, as well as pushing for broader access to cervical cancer screening and treatment, and the integration of cervical cancer services into more women’s health services. For more information, visit www.togetherforhealth.org.
About UICC
UICC is dedicated to taking the lead in convening, capacity building and advocacy initiatives that unite the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda.
Founded in 1933 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, UICC is the largest and oldest international cancer organisation. With over 1,000 members and 48 partners across 167 countries and territories, UICC features the world’s major cancer societies, ministries of health, research institutes, patient groups, and industry leaders. For more information visit www.uicc.org
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