HPV vaccination and regular screening remain our strongest tools against cervical cancer
Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable yet deadly forms of cancer affecting women across Sub-Saharan Africa. The East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ECSACOG) joins global partners in reinforcing the message: cervical cancer is preventable, and early action is critical.
With access to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and routine screening through Pap smears and HPV tests, most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented or detected early — when treatment is most effective.
Yet, in many parts of the region, barriers such as low awareness, limited access to vaccines, and inadequate screening services continue to contribute to high rates of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.
ECSACOG is committed to:
- Promoting HPV vaccination, especially among girls aged 9–14, before exposure to the virus
- Supporting regular screening programs through national health systems
- Training OB/GYN specialists and frontline providers to deliver quality cervical cancer prevention and care
- Raising community awareness to dispel stigma and empower women to seek preventive services
We urge governments, health workers, educators, and community leaders to work together in creating systems where no woman dies from a preventable cancer.