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Accelerating the Elimination of Cervical Cancer IGCS' Bold Plan for the Next Five Years

With just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 targets outlined in the WHO Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer, urgent action is needed worldwide.

IGCS' Bold Vision By 2030, every high-burden country will have a national cervical cancer elimination strategy actively being implemented.

To support this vision, IGCS is launching two major initiatives:

  • The IGCS ACCESS Series (Acceleration of Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategies Symposia)—a five-year initiative designed to transform global commitments into measurable impact.
  • An online resource hub and navigational tool to centralize knowledge and guidance.
Introducing the ACCESS Series Beginning in 2025, IGCS will host an ACCESS Series alongside the upcoming IGCS Annual Global Meeting. As IGCS circulates around the world, each symposium will highlight priorities, challenges, and solutions specific to the region in which the meeting is being held. The first ACCESS will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, followed by Montréal, Canada (2026), then locations to be determined in Asia/Oceania, Latin America, and Europe. These symposia will serve as convening points for everyone committed to our vision of cervical cancer elimination—driving local strategies and mobilizing resources in alignment with the 2030 global 90:70:90 targets. Following the three-pillar strategy defined by the WHO, IGCS will reach out to our membership to conduct a regional deep dive and define the ACCESS agenda in accordance with the region of the world scheduled for our Annual Global Meeting.
Building a Global Resource Hub To support countries in developing and implementing national cervical cancer elimination strategies, IGCS is partnering with the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP) to establish a cervical cancer elimination resource hub within the existing ICCP portal. By leveraging this established and recognized platform, the curated resources will be accessible, interactive, and widely used. The ICCP portal—established in 2012—already hosts global reviews of national cancer control plans, provides downloadable tools, and is recognized by national cancer program leads worldwide.
Launching in Africa
The first ACCESS Symposium takes place in Cape Town in 2025, and IGCS wants to hear directly from stakeholders across African countries. A regional survey will soon be shared to gather perspectives on elimination strategies and the extent of progress toward WHO’s 90:70:90 targets. On the final day of the Cape Town meeting (Nov. 7, 2025), IGCS will host a session to review these findings, provide a platform for our African colleagues to share their stories on implementation of cancer control initiatives and discuss issues raised. This regional focus underscores our commitment to high-burden countries, helping ensure that national strategies are informed, actionable, and locally adapted.
“Holding the first ACCESS Symposium in Cape Town is incredibly meaningful to me personally, and to IGCS. Africa carries a disproportionate burden of cervical cancer, with Southern and Eastern Africa the hotspot of the continent. This initiative brings global expertise, local voices, and actionable solutions together where they are needed greatly. Over the next five years, IGCS is committed to supporting countries and communities across the world to turn the 2030 targets into real, lasting impact.” — Prof. Greta Dreyer, IGCS President

The Project Team

The ACCESS Series is led by Mary Eiken, IGCS CEO, and facilitated by Julie Torode, PhD, IGCS consultant, with guidance from an Advisory Group that includes members of the IGCS Board, global experts, and African champions chairing the three consultation pillars.

With extensive experience in global cancer policy, Dr. Torode emphasizes the importance of coordinated national action: “National activities are too often fragmented and lack political attention. Advancing cervical cancer elimination plans is critical for policy coherence and the equitable delivery of high-quality services across all three pillars. IGCS members can be that uniting voice—bringing expertise and energy to elevate cervical cancer prevention and control as a public health priority. The ACCESS Series will bring global attention to local realities, helping to close the gap between aspiration and action.”

Annual landscaping and analysis will be conducted by a team from the University of Sydney, led by Prof. Karen Canfell and including Dr. Deborah Bateson, Dr. Michael Caruana, Dr. Telma Costa, Dr. Diep Nguyen, Dr. Ai Ling Tan, and Dr. Kate Simms.

Strategic guidance for the ACCESS Series will be provided through three pillar-focused consultation groups:

Pillar 1: HPV Vaccination and Public Awareness

Led by Dr. Suzanne Garland

African Leads 2025 Dr. Nelly Mugo Dr. Deborah Watson-Jones

Pillar 2: Screening and Treatment of Precancerous Lesions

Led by Dr. Karen Canfell

African Leads 2025 Dr. Laura Muzingwani Dr. Rakiya Saidu

Pillar 3: Treatment and Palliative Care of Invasive Cancers

Led by Dr. Kathleen Schmeler

African Leads 2025 Dr. Surbhi Grover Dr. Anisa Mburu Dr. Eve Namisango
Together, this global network of leaders and experts will ensure the ACCESS Series delivers both scientific rigor and practical, regionally informed solutions.
Supported by the IGCS World of Hope Development Fund IGCS ACCESS: Africa is made possible through the support of the IGCS World of Hope Development Fund, which fuels our most ambitious initiatives to expand access to gynecologic cancer care worldwide. Your annual contribution to this fund allows us to fulfill our philanthropic vision: bringing resources, expertise, and sustainable strategies to regions and nations as they work towards the elimination of cervical cancer.
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Strategic Alignment

These efforts align directly with IGCS’s three Strategic Pillars:

  • Enhancing the member experience through shared knowledge and resources.
  • Advancing equitable, patient-centered care by supporting implementation in high-burden regions.
  • Expanding global impact by accelerating progress toward the elimination of the first cancer ever targeted for worldwide eradication.