Eliminating Cervical Cancer in Africa: A Bold Public Health Vision
Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge across Africa, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers. On Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, observed on November 17, Dr Issimouha Dillé, an adviser on cancer policy and implementation, outlines a practical and hopeful path for Africa. Her message is clear: with coordinated action, political will, and community engagement, Africa can dramatically reduce the burden of cervical cancer and move toward elimination.
Why Africa Can Win the Fight
Dr Dillé emphasizes three core pillars that underpin success: vaccination, screening, and treatment access. HPV vaccination during adolescence prevents the majority of cervical cancer cases in the long term. When combined with scalable screening programs for women and girls, the gap between disease incidence and preventive care narrows quickly. Finally, effective treatment — including timely diagnostic services, referral systems, and quality care for those who require it — is essential to save lives at all stages of the disease.
Prevention First: Vaccination as the Foundation
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the cornerstone of cervical cancer elimination. Africa faces logistical and financial hurdles, yet many countries have begun to integrate HPV vaccines into national immunization schedules. Dr Dillé notes that early investments in cold chain infrastructure, school-based outreach, and community education deliver compounding benefits. By protecting girls and boys before exposure to the virus, vaccination reduces the future need for more intensive interventions and strengthens overall health resilience.
Screening: Reaching Women Where They Live
Screening is the second pillar of a sustainable elimination strategy. The most effective approaches combine accessibility with sensitivity to local contexts. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and HPV DNA testing are two scalable options. The interview with Dr Dillé highlights the importance of integrating screening into existing health services — antenatal care, primary care visits, and community health outreach. When women are offered screening in friendly, stigma-free environments, participation rises, and early detections increase survival rates.
Linking Prevention to Care: Treatment and Palliative Support
Prevention without reliable treatment would limit gains. Therefore, elimination strategies must ensure that diagnosed women can access accurate diagnostics, timely treatment, and follow-up care. Dr Dillé stresses the need for improved pathology services, radiation and surgical capacity, and patient navigation that guides women through complex care pathways. Equally important is overcoming geographic and financial barriers that keep patients away from timely care, a challenge that requires innovative service delivery models and partnerships with civil society.
Building a Sustainable Health System for the Long Run
African health systems must be strengthened to sustain elimination efforts. Dr Dillé points to several enabling factors: data-driven policy, resilient financing, and cross-border collaboration. National cancer control plans that prioritize cervical cancer, allocate dedicated budgets, and monitor progress through clear indicators are essential. International partners and regional bodies can provide technical support, but the ownership must remain with national governments and local communities.
Community Engagement and Equity
Eliminating cervical cancer is not only a medical challenge; it is a social one. Communities must understand the benefits of vaccination and screening, dispel myths, and support women in seeking care. Dr Dillé underlines the role of women’s groups, youth ambassadors, educators, and faith-based organizations in driving demand for services. Equitable access means focusing on rural areas, low-income populations, and marginalized groups who often bear the highest burden of disease.
A Call to Action: What You Can Do
As Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action prompts, individuals, healthcare providers, policymakers, and donors should unite around a shared goal: to prevent cancer before it starts and to treat those affected with dignity and precision. This requires political commitment, community trust, and sustained funding. Africa’s trajectory toward elimination is a collective journey — one that can yield decades of healthier lives and stronger health systems for future generations.
