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From Policy to Practice: Closing the Global Cervical Cancer Divide

Written by Stephanie Montesino, MPH, Global Policy Fellow and Vaishnavi Sambandam, PhD, Oncology Scientist/Medical Writer from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®)

Cervical Cancer in Numbers: Prevention, Screening, and Treatment

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with 660,000 new cases in 2022, and 94% of deaths occurring in low‑ and middle‑income countries, largely due to limited access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, screening, and treatment. About 95% of cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high‑risk HPV, a commonly acquired virus transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Persistent infection can lead to precancerous changes that may progress to cancer over many years. Widespread prevention of cervical cancer begins with population-focused HPV vaccination, which protects against the high‑risk HPV types responsible for most cervical cancers; expanding access to vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce global cervical cancer rates.

Screening is also an essential part of prevention. The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) Guidelines recommend routine cervical cancer screening using high-risk HPV testing, cervical cytology tests, or both, depending on age and risk status. Other international bodies have developed population‑level screening recommendations, including those from the European Commission and China.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Cervical Cancer provide healthcare providers with stage-specific treatment recommendations and post-recurrence surveillance guidance. When precancerous lesions or cancer are found, treatment options range from localized removal of precancerous cells to surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. For patients and caregivers, the NCCN Guidelines for Patients® for Cervical Cancer offer accessible versions to help understand cervical cancer from screening to survivorship.

Cervical Cancer: Spotlight on the Multilateral Stage

Recognizing that cervical cancer deaths can be largely avoidable with appropriate prevention strategies, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global elimination initiative that mobilizes countries to expand HPV vaccination and strengthen prevention efforts. To achieve elimination, countries are working towards reducing incidence to fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women annually by meeting the 90–70–90 targets for 2030:

  • vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15;
  • screening 70% of women at ages 35 and 45; and
  • ensuring 90% of women with precancer or cancer receive appropriate treatment.

This effort was reinforced at the UN General Assembly (UNGA80) High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, with Member States committing to scaling up HPV vaccination, expanding effective screening, ensuring early, high-quality treatment, and integrating breast and cervical cancer prevention into national programs.

Under France’s 2026 G7 Presidency, a Health Working Group has been established to mainstream health priorities into the official tracks of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June. One priority health area for this group is strengthening the fight against NCDs, including leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for cervical cancer prevention.

Alongside global commitments, many countries have developed specific cervical cancer control plans outlining how they will expand HPV vaccination, strengthen screening programs, and improve access to treatment. These national plans, available on the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP) website, demonstrate that governments are focusing on concrete goals and country-specific actions.

Call to Action

These public targets and commitments to address cervical cancer provide powerful tools for accountability and advocacy. Furthermore, additional efforts should focus on countries that face the highest burden and mortality from cervical cancer, many of which are still developing their health care infrastructure. Unitaid’s new funding call, focused on improving cervical cancer screening and early treatment in low‑ and middle‑income countries, creates an opportunity to close prevalent gaps in access. By establishing ways to expand HPV testing, strengthen treatment services, and reach women who are most often left behind, this initiative provides a way to speed up progress toward cervical cancer elimination.

References:

American Society for Colonoscopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) Guidelines for Cervical

Screening (Mobile app available): http://asccp.org/clinical-practice/guidelines/screening-guidelines

NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Cervical Cancer V.2.2026. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2026.  All rights reserved.  Accessed March 31, 2026.  To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org

NCCN Guidelines for Patients® for Cervical Cancer, 2026. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. Accessed March 31, 2026. To view the most recent and complete version of the NCCN Guidelinesfor Patients, go online to NCCN.org/patientguidelines.

World Health Organization. (2025, December 2). Cervical cancer. Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer