On Thursday, the world marked the second Cervical Cancer Elimination Day. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, according to members of the global agency on this occasion.

Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, noted that in 2020, 604,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 342,000 deaths were reported, out of which the South East Region accounted for 32% and 34%, respectively.

She noted that vaccination for girls against human papillomavirus (HPV), screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions, and improved access to diagnosis and treatment of invasive cancers are critical, cost-effective measures. Hence, policymakers should urgently implement these measures to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.

Presently, five member states—Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—have introduced nationwide HPV vaccination; on the other hand, Bangladesh, India, and Timor-Leste will soon introduce it. Dr. Singh added that WHO has called for action in several key areas to achieve the elimination target of four or fewer cases per 100,000 women. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/cervical-cancer-4th-most-common-among-women-policymakers-should-urgently-move-to-eliminate-who/95584378 )