IGCS 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 one of the few cancers that is largely preventable through HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment. If detected early through routine screening, it is highly treatable. However, cervical cancer remains a global health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and underserved communities.

Critical Insights:

  • Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women with over 660,000 new cases 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.
  • Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms (such as abnormal vaginal bleeding) often appear only in later stages of the disease, leading to delayed diagnosis and poorer prognosis.
  • Regional disparities in the burden of cervical cancer are closely linked to inequalities in access to vaccination, screening, and treatment services, as well as risk factors such as HIV prevalence. Social and economic determinants—including gender biases, cultural beliefs and stigma, lack of education and awareness, and poverty—play a significant role in these disparities. 
  • Cervical cancer disproportionately affects younger women at the prime of their lives; many are mothers to young children. Over one million children lose their mother to cancer each year and cervical cancer accounts for about 20% of children orphaned by cancer.
  • Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV. Adolescent girls and young women face a higher vulnerability of acquiring HIV than their male counterparts, particularly women of color.
  • Preventative vaccination against HPV, combined with screening and treatment of those who screen positive, is a highly effective and affordable way to prevent cervical cancer. Several interconnected factors including disparate access to healthcare and vaccination, lack of awareness and global coordination, and social and cultural barriers stigmatizing sexual health and cancer have hindered progress towards elimination. 

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.

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.

Position Statement and Endorsement of HPV Vaccination

Call to Action:

In alignment with global efforts to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, the IGCS encourages:

  • all countries/communities to implement HPV-vaccination programs tailored to resources;
  • all its members and health care workers to promote and support HPV-vaccination;
  • all individuals within the target groups to accept and prioritise the vaccine if available;
  • all parents to allow, enable and consent to vaccination of their children.

In its commitment to promote equity in health care access, and to improve efficiency of HPV-vaccine programs, the IGCS emphasizes:

  • the provision of HPV vaccines without cost to recommended populations in order to achieve high coverage and herd immunity;
  • the need for educational initiatives to increase knowledge and awareness of HPV-vaccination and overcome negative societal and cultural perceptions;
  • the necessity to increase efforts to overcome healthcare infrastructure challenges particularly in underserved populations in order to provide equitable access.
  • The value of assessing the impact of each vaccine program by the establishment of national cancer registries

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

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.

Learn more about IGCAN.

Communications Toolkit

Cervical Cancer Awareness

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! Join IGCS in raising awareness by downloading our social media graphics!

In 2022, IGCS and IGCAN invited clinicians, researchers, survivors, and advocates to join an informal, semi-private online community hosted on What’s App. Nearly 100 individuals from all regions of the world have been participating in this group for the past 2 years, sharing information about their local efforts and progress being made to improve vaccination, screening, and treatment.

Join the WhatsApp group so you too can stay updated on what’s happening in this space, and feel free to ask questions. 

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.

Stage 4 Cervical Cancer Survivor Defies Stigma: Aisha McClellan’s Advocacy Journey

Meet Aisha McClellan, a 7-year survivor of stage 4 cervical cancer. A 32-year-old single mother of three young children, uninsured,…

Hallie Saunders with Dr. Wendel Naumann

Hallie Saunders discusses her experience with cervical cancer with Dr. Wendel Naumann, the gynecologic oncologist who managed her treatment. Hallie…

Linda Ryan with Dr. Shannon Westin

Linda Ryan, a metastatic recurrent cervical cancer survivor and patient research advocate shares her story and experience with clinical trials.,…

Heidi Burgard with Dr. Saketh Guntupalli

Heidi Burgard, a cervical cancer survivor shares her story and experience with clinical trials. From initial diagnosis to overcoming multiple…

Defying the stigmas of cervical cancer in Kenya: How Millicent Kagonga became a Symbol of Hope.

Read Video TranscriptThe number one enemy is stigma. Why? Because I almost killed myself and also I’ve seen people killing…