Yesterday (Monday May 6th) W4GF hosted a webinar on cervical cancer: What’s being funded through the Global Fund? Where are the opportunities for partnership and engagement? 23 participants joined this vibrant discussion to review and understand the global response to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with 570,000 new cases and 311,000 deaths in 2018. Nearly 90% of deaths took place in low- and middle-income countries so cervical cancer is very much driven by social inequities and will take more than a biomedical approach. We also know that cervical cancer incidence overlaps with HIV Women living with HIV are four to 10 times more likely to develop cervical cancer – and more likely to develop it at a younger age 1; 2.
This webinar is the second community organised webinar on Cervical cancer – the first took place in November last year and was supported by UNAIDS. Following that webinar UNAIDS supported the development of an advocacy brief on cervical cancer (led by Salamander Trust) where important recommendations to women living with HIV, health care providers, policy makers, our UN Partners and global funding initiatives to support us to end cervical cancer. In addition to that advocacy brief review the WHO Draft Global Strategy DEADLINE: Friday May 10th.
Cervical cancer can be avoided by ensuring that all girls receive the HPV vaccine before they become sexually active. Gavi have decreased the price of HPV vaccines from more than US$ 100 in high income countries to USD$4.50. Vaccines, together with screening (if only even once in a woman’s life time) can detect the development of pre-cancerous or abnormal cells so that they can be easily treated. This will make all the difference. Even if abnormal cells do develop, early diagnosis can prompt early treatment can enable recovery.
No one sector alone will be able to deliver the targets (featured in the image above) outlined in the draft global strategy. It will take many sectors and partners, including community partners working together to reach and support women in all our diversity.
Listen to the webinar here to learn more.
SPEAKERS AND AVAILABLE SLIDES PRESENTED:
- Dr Paul Bloem, Expanded Programme on Immunisation Plus, WHO – click here to access the slides presented by WHO
- Ms Joan Chamungu, Executive Director, The Tanzania Network of Women Living with HIV (TNW+) click here to access the slides presented by TNW+
- Ms Kreeneshni Govender, Programme Officer, Human Rights and Gender, UNAIDS
- Ms Julie Torode, Deputy CEO and Director of Advocacy and Networks for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) click here to access the slides presented by UICC
- Mr Nicholas Furtado, Advisor RMNCAH_Health Systems Strengthening, Technical Advice and Partnerships, Global Fund Secretariat.