Elimination of cervical cancer: challenges for developing countries

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers today, yet over 500,000 new cases are diagnosed globally each year and every 2 minutes a woman dies from cervical cancer. The burden of this disease and the highest mortality from cervical cancer occur in developing countries. High-income countries are poised to eliminate cervical cancer in the 21st century, but despite a global call to eliminate this disease, low- and middle-income countries face many challenges as they strive to answer that call.

Keywords: HPV testing; cervical cancer; disparities in care; human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination; prevention; screening; visual inspection with acetic acid.