Introduction: A Turning Point in Africa’s Fight Against Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in Africa, even though it is almost entirely preventable. On Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, observed on 17 November, we spoke with Dr Issimouha Dillé, an adviser on cancer prevention research and policy. Her insights illuminate why Africa can win the fight against cervical cancer and how coordinated action across vaccination, screening, and treatment can save thousands of lives.
Why Elimination Is Possible in Africa
Dr Dillé emphasizes that elimination is within reach if countries commit to three pillars: primary prevention through HPV vaccination, secondary prevention via effective screening, and tertiary prevention through timely, accessible treatment. She notes that Africa’s youth bulge, increasing health literacy, and growing investment in health infrastructure create a favorable climate for ambitious cervical cancer programs. The key is to transform prevention into an affordable, scalable public health initiative rather than a fragmented series of pilots.
Primary Prevention: Vaccination, Awareness, and Accessibility
HPV vaccination is central to the elimination strategy. When implemented broadly, it drastically reduces the incidence of cervical cancer over generations. Dr Dillé urges governments to finance vaccination campaigns, integrate them into school-based health programs, and ensure vaccine access in rural and underserved communities. She also underscores the importance of community engagement—educating parents, teachers, and young people about the safety and benefits of the HPV vaccine to build demand and trust.
Secondary Prevention: Screening That Reaches All Women
Screening is the second pillar. The goal is to deploy affordable, simple, and scalable screening methods—such as visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or HPV DNA testing—so that women can be screened at primary health centers, not just in urban tertiary facilities. Dr Dillé argues for integrating screening with other maternal and child health services to maximize reach and minimize stigma. Where resources are constrained, task-shifting to trained nurses and community health workers can expand coverage without compromising quality.
Tertiary Prevention: Timely Treatment and Palliative Care
Early detection must be matched with prompt treatment. This includes surgical options, radiotherapy, chemotherapy where available, and palliative care for those with advanced disease. Africa faces gaps in oncology infrastructure, trained specialists, and reliable supply chains. Dr Dillé calls for regional centers of excellence, cross-border collaboration, and strengthened supply chains to ensure medicines and equipment remain available where they are needed most. Financing mechanisms—public funding, insurance coverage, and donor support—are essential to prevent catastrophic costs for patients and families.
Strengthening Health Systems for Sustainable Impact
Eliminating cervical cancer requires resilient health systems. Dr Dillé highlights data systems for tracking vaccination, screening, and treatment outcomes; integrated service delivery to maximize efficiency; and political leadership that treats cancer prevention as a national security issue. Partnerships with international agencies, NGOs, and the private sector can accelerate progress, provided programs are aligned with country priorities and respect local contexts.
Equity and Community Engagement
Africa’s elimination agenda must be equity-driven. That means reaching women in rural areas, refugees, and marginalized communities who often face the greatest barriers to prevention and care. Dr Dillé stresses culturally sensitive education, male involvement, and community health workers who can bridge gaps between clinics and households. When women are informed and supported, cervical cancer prevention becomes a shared community responsibility rather than a distant health objective.
What Action Looks Like Right Now
On Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, countries are urged to commit to concrete steps: launching or expanding national HPV vaccination programs, integrating cervical cancer screening into primary care, investing in cancer treatment facilities, and building data dashboards to monitor progress. Dr Dillé remains optimistic because the necessary tools are available and many African nations are already piloting successful models that can be scaled up with political will and sustainable funding.
Conclusion: A Clear Path Forward
Eliminating cervical cancer in Africa is not a distant dream—it is a practical, achievable objective when prevention, screening, and treatment work in harmony. With leadership from policymakers, communities, and health professionals alike, Africa can reduce mortality, protect the health of future generations, and set a global example for cancer elimination strategies grounded in equity and resilience.
