We call for a dedicated Elimination Strategy for South Africa that will guide the future of equitable cervical cancer care for all.

Cervical Cancer is a global public health problem, yet one of the few cancers and the only female reproductive cancer that can be prevented through the HPV vaccine, given prior to sexual debut, and if detected early through cervical screening, the disease can be treated and cured.

The elimination of cervical cancer is a public health, political, economic and social imperative. Currently the rights of girls and women are being violated, because they are at risk of being exposed, becoming ill and dying of a preventative disease.

Globally, every 2 minutes, 9 women are dying of cervical cancer. Approximately 604 000 new cases and 342 000 deaths are reported annually. In Sub-Saharan Africa we have one women dying every 72 minutes.

Nearly 50% of all cases die within the first five years post diagnosis.
In South Africa approximately 10 000 new cases and 5 800 deaths are recorded per annum. The burden of the disease has major implications on the physical, psychological, and socio-economic status of the affected women, her family, the community, and an increased workload on the health system.

All girls in their future lifetime, and all women are at risk of developing the disease. Women living in predominantly poor limited resource settings are more at risk. Most of these girls and women reside on the African continent. The lifetime risk for developing cervical cancer is 1 in 42.

Despite global scientific evidence that cervical cancer can be prevented and treated for cure, girls and women are being denied access to these evidence-based preventative and treatment modalities.

Globally, every 2 minutes, 9 women are dying of cervical cancer. Approximately 604 000 new cases and 342 000 deaths are reported annually. In Sub-Saharan Africa we have one women dying every 72 minutes.

Due to the burgeoning burden of cervical cancer and increased mortality specifically in LMIC the WHO recommended a cervical cancer elimination strategy consisting of three pillars and these are: HPV vaccinations to 90%  of girls and boys ages 9 -14; 70% of women screened for cervical cancer ; 90% of women diagnosed with cervical ca have access to treatment and palliative care.

The barometer for the monitoring of the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in South Africa is:

1. Cervical cancer policy of 2017 -2022 must be reviewed.
2. The draft Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy must be ratified and implemented at provincial level as soon as possible.

In the meantime the burgeoning burden of cervical cancer is a major contributory cause of female reproductive cancer mortalities in South Africa.

The Cancer Alliance, in collaboration with the Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre has established Solution Labs: Cervical Cancer to set out ways in which the challenges we face can be addressed.