Eradicating cervical cancer in the poorest regions of the world

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer found in women and the most common type of gynecologic cancer globally. Despite adequate prevention through the human papillomavirus vaccine, screening methods, and treatment strategies, cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. There are alarming disparities and geographical variations that exist among incidence rates and mortality of women with cervical cancer around the world.

The burden of this disease shows marked disproportions among incidence, mortality, and survival rates among high-income countries and low-income and middle-income countries. There are notable barriers to screening and prevention to include health literacy, education, and public awareness, societal and cultural factors, poverty and economic inequality, limited professional workforce capacity, and overall health infrastructure. These inequities emphasize a major global health concern.

Globally, there is a need for international participation to help in the fight to eradicate cervical cancer. The three regions with the highest rates of cervical cancer include Southeast Asia (including India), Latin America and the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa. This review article highlights the current methods of screening and prevention within these regions to combat the rising global epidemic that is cervical cancer.