On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the Pan American Health Organization has urged countries in the Americas to accelerate efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, warning that progress is currently too slow to meet global targets. With only five years remaining, PAHO emphasized that despite gains in vaccination, gaps in screening and treatment threaten the region’s ability to achieve elimination.
Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in the Americas, with more than 78,000 new cases and over 40,000 deaths recorded annually. The burden falls disproportionately on Latin America and the Caribbean, where more than four out of five deaths occur and mortality rates are three times higher than in North America, reflecting persistent inequalities in access to prevention and care.
Elimination efforts are guided by three key targets to be achieved by 2030: high coverage of HPV vaccination among girls, widespread screening of women using high-performance tests, and timely treatment for those diagnosed with precancerous lesions or invasive cancer. Cervical cancer is one of more than 30 diseases prioritized under PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative.
PAHO highlighted encouraging progress in vaccination, noting that most countries and territories in the Americas now offer the HPV vaccine, with many adopting a single-dose schedule that has helped increase coverage. These advances demonstrate the potential for rapid gains when evidence-based strategies are implemented at scale.
However, major challenges remain in screening and treatment. While some countries have introduced HPV testing, overall screening coverage remains low and data gaps persist. Access to treatment services is also uneven, with limited availability of radiotherapy in many countries, undermining efforts to reduce mortality.
PAHO warned that without accelerated action, cervical cancer deaths in the Americas could exceed 46,000 annually by 2030. To prevent this outcome, the organization is supporting countries through technical cooperation, affordable procurement of vaccines and diagnostic and treatment technologies, and integration of services into primary health care systems.
Through partnerships with international organizations and development agencies, PAHO continues to strengthen regional efforts to improve prevention, early detection and care. As part of World Cancer Day activities, the organization is convening a regional dialogue to share experiences, promote coordinated action and support countries in reaching cervical cancer elimination targets by the end of the decade.
