Every two minutes a woman dies from cervical cancer. We must act now

This Monday, 17 November, the world marked the first-ever World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, designated by the 78th World Health Assembly. For the first time in history, countries are observing a global health day dedicated to eliminating cancer — united under the call: “Act Now: Eliminate Cervical Cancer” to build on existing progress and accelerate impact.

A preventable and curable cancer, and an unequal burden

Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is fully preventable, detectable and treatable when caught early. Yet, it remains the 4th most common cancer among women globally, with 660,000 new cases in 2022. In the same year, 350,000 deaths were caused by cervical cancer. Tragically 94% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, where access to vaccination, screening, and treatment services remains limited. These deaths are linked also to risk factors such as social and economic determinants, including gender bias and poverty.

The burden falls heavily on families. Cervical cancer disproportionately affects younger women, and as a result, globally 1 in 5 children who lose their mother to cancer lose her to cervical cancer. The consequence is not only medical, but social, emotional, and economic.

In Uzbekistan cancer remains a major public health concern. According to the 2022 Global Cancer Observatory by the International Agency for Research, in Uzbekistan cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and accounted for over 2,000 new cancers in women. Sadly, approximately 1,585 women died from cervical cancer in the same year.

Arofat’s story: why early detection matters

Last year WHO published the story of Arofat Marakhimova, a school nurse from Tashkent region whose life was changed by a single HPV test.

When the clinic called with her results, she was afraid. The diagnosis felt overwhelming. But early detection through an HPV pilot programme launched by WHO, UNFPA, IARC, and the embassy of France meant her condition was identified early, when treatment is most effective.

Arofat is one of the many women who participated in the pilot programme in Tashkent region and Karakalpakstan, which aimed to reach more than 56,000 women with HPV screening. Stories like Arofat’s laid the foundation for Uzbekistan’s first HPV-based national screening programme, which started in 2025.

A global plan and Uzbekistan’s progress

The encouraging news is that the world has a plan. Proven, cost-effective interventions exist to prevent, screen for, and treat cervical cancer.

In 2020, all 194 WHO Member States agreed to eliminate cervical cancer — the first global commitment to eliminate a cancer. WHO launched the Global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.

The strategy calls on all countries to reach the 90−70−90 targets by 2030:

• 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15;
• 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by ages 35 and 45;
• 90% of women with cervical disease receiving treatment.

Through modelling, some interim benefits of achieving 90−70−90 shows 300,000 cervical cancer deaths averted by 2030.

Uzbekistan is taking decisive steps towards cervical cancer elimination.

HPV vaccination

According to the Ministry of Health, 94% of girls aged 12−14 have received the first dose of HPV vaccine.
This is one of the highest rates in the region — and a powerful step toward protecting the next generation.

Early detection and screening programs

Demonstrating strong political commitment to address the cancer burden including cervical cancer, the government of Uzbekistan secured a loan from the Islamic Development Bank to support the expansion and enhancement of oncology services in the country.

The government has partnered with WHO through an agreement to strengthen access to safe, high-quality oncology services.

WHO continues to provide technical expertise and assistance for strengthening prevention, early diagnosis and treatment services for cervical cancer.

WHO has supported the update of national clinical guidelines and protocols for cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ensuring alignment with WHO recommendations and international standards.

WHO further provided technical support for an HPV testing pilot in Chirchik district which demonstrated the feasibility of implementing screening at the primary care level, with 5,600 women screened.

Thirty-five providers have been trained to deliver cervical cancer screening at the primary care level through strengthening of knowledge, communication to women and community, and understanding referral pathways for women with complex cervical disease.

Twenty-four laboratory staff have been trained to ensure they are well-informed about HPV test processing, operational procedures, communication of results to women.

Eighty specialists (nurses, medical technologists, cytotechnologists, and pathologists) trained to interpret cytology and biopsy samples improving the accuracy of diagnosing precancerous and malignant cervical lesions and ensure the rational use of colposcopy and treatment resources.

Closing the gaps: what must happen next

While we celebrate the significant strides made, missed opportunities for diagnosis and treatment should be addressed with a more integrated approach. To make the change, cervical cancer services need to be integrated throughout the life course, linked with maternal health, family planning and primary care to leverage the opportunities of other programs within the health system.

I would like to leave you with these key messages:

• Cervical cancer can be prevented and treated when detected early;
• This requires interventions from vaccination to treatment;
• Addressing sociocultural barriers is essential;
• and Strong partnerships and collaboration are critical.

Cervical cancer elimination is not an aspiration. It is achievable within our lifetime. With every girl received HPV vaccination and every woman screened, diagnosed and treated, Uzbekistan moves one step closer to this historic milestone.

We all must ACT. Governments act. Youth act. Communities act. Survivors act. Will you?