Ending Cervical Cancer by 2100: The Lancet’s Global Roadmap for Action & Health Equity

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Introduction:

Cervical Cancer Elimination — From Possibility to Reality

Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest yet most preventable diseases affecting women globally. Every 2 minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer — most of them from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

But now, the world has a clear roadmap.

The recent 2025 Lancet Commission report has redefined the global vision:

“A world where cervical cancer is eliminated as a public health problem by 2100.”

This landmark report provides a bold action plan, integrating technology, policies, gender equity, and global solidarity to save millions of lives.

🩺 Why This Matters

Cervical cancer is entirely preventable, yet it kills one woman every 2 minutes globally. This report isn’t just a policy paper—it’s a call to end a historic injustice, especially in LMICs where 90% of deaths occur.

🔍 Key Highlights from the Report

✅ Global Elimination is Achievable by 2100

Vision: <u>Elimination defined as <4 cases per 100,000 women annually</u>.
With sustained investment, we could prevent 62 million deaths by 2120.

🧬 HPV Vaccination: The First Line of Defense

Goal: 90% girls fully vaccinated by age 15 by 2030.
High-income countries seeing up to 90% drop in HPV infections after vaccination scale-up.

🧪 Screening & Treatment: Scaling the Basics

Goal: 70% of women screened with high-performance tests by 35 and again at 45.
90% of precancer and cancer cases to receive appropriate treatment.

📉 Closing the Inequity Gap

Cervical cancer is a marker of gender and economic injustice.
LMICs bear the brunt due to poor access, stigma, and system neglect.
Integration with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) frameworks is essential.

📢 New Recommendations by the Commission

Prioritize cervical cancer in national budgets and UHC packages.
Establish women-centered, community-embedded prevention systems.
Invest in digital health, AI, and innovative self-sampling tools.
Call for research funding parity—cervical cancer receives <1% of cancer R&D.

🛠️ Recommended Policy Actions

Action Area	Key Recommendation
Financing	Increase HPV vaccine supply & subsidies for LMICs
Service Delivery	Integrate services with PHC & maternal care
Accountability & Governance	Appoint national cervical cancer champions
Innovation	Fund new screening tools, mobile tech
Community Engagement	Combat stigma, raise awareness, empower women

💡 Expert Insights from the Report

“Eliminating cervical cancer is not just about vaccines and tests. It’s about empowering women, correcting systemic injustice, and rebuilding trust in health systems.”
— Dr. Sue Goldie, Commission Co-Chair
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Bhraman Aadesh (Travel Order) Document for Nepal’s Civil Service

Why Nepal and LMICs Must Act Fast

For countries like Nepal, the report holds critical importance because:

HPV vaccine introduction is progressing.
Primary Health Care is the backbone of service delivery.
Gender barriers still exist in rural settings.

Recommendation for Nepal:

Integrate cervical cancer prevention with existing PHC programs, FCHV networks, and maternal health platforms.

📌 Why Now? Why Urgent?

HPV vaccine availability has never been higher.
Cost-effective tools exist, but underutilized.
The 2030 WHO target is fast approaching — without rapid acceleration, gains could reverse.