In the context of World Cancer Day, which is commemorated every February 4 to raise awareness about the prevention, detection and timely treatment of this disease, we focus on cervical cancer, a preventable type of cancer that still causes thousands of avoidable deaths in the Region of the Americas.
In 2022, more than 78.000 women were diagnosed with this cancer, caused by abnormal cell growth in the cervix due to certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), according to esteem the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, affects both men and women, and is very common. In fact, it is estimated that 8 out of 10 people will have it at some point in their lives. In most cases, the virus clears up without causing symptoms, but in about 5% of cases it causes lesions (abnormal cell formations) that, over time, can develop into cancer.
Since cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented, detected early, and eliminated, the Institute for Clinical and Health Effectiveness (IECS) is conducting research focused on Identify access gaps, prioritize cost-effective health technologies, identify regional production, and generate evidence to inform decision-making.The project aimed to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was carried out within the framework of the Elimination Initiative promoted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Effective interventions and how to implement them
There are highly effective interventions capable of substantially reducing the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer: vaccination, HPV testing, and timely treatment.
- Vaccination: protects against infection with high-risk HPV types that cause cervical cancer.
- Screening: all adult women should have regular examinations to detect precancerous lesions of the cervix and treat them before they develop into cervical cancer.
- Treatment: Cervical cancer can be treated effectively if detected early. Treatment options for invasive cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and, to a lesser extent, chemotherapy.
However, critical gaps persist in the region between the availability of these technologies and their effective access: cultural, regulatory, logistical, financial and implementation barriers continue to limit their impact, affecting women in contexts of greater vulnerability unequally.
One of these barriers is territorial inequality, which means that rural, indigenous, or geographically isolated populations face greater obstacles. Another barrier is the lack of information and health education, which hinders public understanding of the vaccine's safety and benefits.
Quality evidence for decision making
Through the project “Identification and promotion of innovation and access to health technologies relevant to the implementation of the PAHO Communicable Disease Elimination Initiative”, executed by the IECS, the needs for innovation and access to medicines, diagnostics and other health technologies were analyzed.
The project adopted a mixed quantitative-qualitative approach and generated a set of useful inputs for both regional decision-making and operational work with countries. These contributions allow for connecting evidence, feasibility, and implementation considerations, and moving from identifying gaps to operationalizing interventions, strengthening PAHO's role as an evaluator and facilitator of equitable access to effective, safe, and evidence-based health technologies.