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DonateIGCS supports the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a public health problem.
The Problem
Cervical cancer is preventable and highly treatable if caught early. Yet it remains the fourth most common cancer among women with over 660,000 new cases globally in 2022. In the same year, about 94% of the 350,000 deaths caused by cervical cancer occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
- The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and South-East Asia.
- Regional differences in the cervical cancer burden are related to inequalities in access to vaccination, screening and treatment services, risk factors including HIV prevalence, and social and economic determinants such as sex, gender biases and poverty.
- This reflects major inequities driven by lack of access to national HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment services and social and economic determinants.
- Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.
- Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are very cost-effective.
How do we Eliminate Cervical Cancer? A Global Strategy
The WHO's Global Strategy provides a roadmap with targets to prevent cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, high-performance screening tests, and treatment for both precancerous lesions and invasive cancers. To achieve these targets, IGCS and countries around the world are focusing work on three main areas:
HPV Vaccination & Public Awareness
Prevent cervical cancer before it starts.
Screening & Treatment of Precancerous Lesions
Early detection and prevention of disease progression.
Treatment & Palliative Care of Invasive Cancers
Minimize suffering and disability.
IGCS firmly supports the targets of vaccination, screening, and treatment, including the administration of palliative care support for patients who may not have access to these interventions in time and are diagnosed with advanced disease.
Position Statement and Endorsement of HPV Vaccination
The International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) firmly endorses the use of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination as a critical primary prevention method to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
Cervical cancer is caused in the vast majority of cases by oncogenic types of HPV, and remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, particularly among groups with limited access to quality health care.
In addition, infection with oncogenic types of HPV is a leading or major cause of a variety of other genital and non-genital cancers, including but not limited to: vulva and vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx.
The burden of all these diseases is further increased among populations with a high prevalence of HIV, due to the complex interaction between these two viruses.
IGCS: Driving Global Impact
IGCS is committed to accelerating progress for cervical cancer elimination. Following the WHO call to action in 2018, IGCS has delivered and provided a series of activities, programs, opportunities working with partners, members, and organizations around the world to support collective progress towards the 2030 targets.
IGCS’ greatest strength is found within our membership – a supportive, inclusive, and diverse global community. With nearly 9,000 members from over 190 countries as of October 2024 – our membership is made up of multidisciplinary specialists dedicated to the study and treatment of gynecologic cancers. IGCS’ robust mentorship and training programs are increasing expertise at the local level, utilizing our committed and supportive network of experts in the field.
Increasing Technical Skills, Knowledge and Research Capacity through Mentorship and Training
Global Collaboration
IGCS to host Cervical Cancer Summit in Cape Town, South Africa Nov 7-8, 2025.
IGCS Members: Committed to Progress
To illustrate the role that members and civil service organizations can play in driving change locally, IGCS Members contributed to these case studies.
Submit your case here. (link to form)
MEMBER SLIDER
Raising Awareness and Connecting the Global Advocacy Community
IGCS’ patient advocacy network, the International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network (IGCAN) is made up of patients, survivors, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, advocacy organizations, and others involved in patient advocacy and public awareness initiatives. IGCAN programming and activities highlight patient-focused issues and utilize communication strategies to raise awareness of key issues and mobilize the community.
IGCS TOOLKITS
The Women Affected
Too often, the women behind these grave statistics are overshadowed by the numbers. Their experiences matter and their stories are a powerful reminder why we continue our work.
Millicent Kagonga, Kenya
New video we will work on with Pfizer
The sponsored Conversations Beyond the Clinic
slider as we receive more stories or videos
Multiple Pathways to Elimination
Even with the knowledge and tools at hand, there is no single path to elimination. Different countries are using various strategies to accelerate progress.
