Cervical cancer
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For the first time in history, we can eliminate a cancer.
The World Health Organization set an ambitious goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. With vaccination, screening and treatment, a world without cervical cancer is not a dream. It’s a destination.
Learn how Roche is advancing science, increasing access to screenings, and teaming up with industry partners, governments and patient advocates to strive for a world without cervical cancer.
Challenge
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers today, thanks to vaccination, screening and early treatment. Yet, it is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with one woman succumbing to the disease every two minutes.
Unlike the majority of cancers, the main cause of cervical cancer is well known with almost all cases caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects most men and women at some point in their lives. But elimination will only come from a comprehensive, triple-intervention strategy of vaccination, advanced screening and diagnostics, and the early treatment of precancerous or cancerous lesions.
Unfortunately, the lack of awareness and access to advanced diagnostic solutions is a crippling issue in the fight against cervical cancer. However, a new era of innovative technologies is transforming cervical cancer screening strategies, paving the way for improved diagnostic and early intervention solutions and accelerating the move towards personalised healthcare.
Focus
We recognise the importance of advanced screenings and reliable diagnostic tests in cervical cancer prevention, especially knowing the critical role played by HPV – a preventable infection for which a vaccine exists – in the progression of the disease. Our scientists work tirelessly to bring new triage and diagnostic test options to women across the world.
Our latest developments in the field of biomarker technology include an HPV self-collection solution and a test that helps identify women most at risk of developing cervical cancer and single out those who may need access to early intervention and treatment options from those who may not. Relying on risk-based assessments of each individual helps women avoid the potential harms of over-or under-treatment.
The elimination of cervical cancer can be achieved through the powerful integration of diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, data and the evolution of personalised healthcare. Having all areas of expertise under one roof, Roche is uniquely positioned to follow this holistic approach to support the WHO goal of putting all countries on the path to cervical cancer elimination by 2030.
In the spotlight
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Prevent. Detect. Protect.
For a healthier future.
Vaccinating and screening twice in a girl’s lifetime could reduce mortality by more than one-third.1
Preventing 300,000 deaths.
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Only 36% of women globally have been screened at least once.
In low and middle-income countries, fewer than 5% of women have ever been screened for cervical cancer, severely undermining elimination goals.3,4
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The impact of missed early detection.
Over 200 thousand children lose their mothers to cervical cancer each year.5
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Reducing the economic impact.
Where available, national screening programmes have been instrumental in reducing the burden of cervical cancer.6
Disparate rates in vaccination coverage across the globe mean that its full benefit will not be realized until vaccinated adolescents reach screening age.
Lower incidence rates by up to 80%.6
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Lowering the financial burden of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer, along with eight other conditions, drives 1/3 of the women’s health gap.7
Reducing their effects could create around $400 billion in annual global GDP by 2040.7
Closing the entire gap could unlock 75 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually and add $1 trillion to the global GDP.7
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Early detection can save lives.
A recent US study highlighted that cervical cancer screening saves more than 58% of life years.8
An estimated 91% five year survival rate when diagnosed early.9
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A strategy to save lives.
In the next century, the cervical cancer elimination strategy can potentially:
Prevent 74 million cases.2
Save over 62 million girls and women from cervical cancer death.2
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Increasing coverage of cervical cancer screening requires a systematic approach:
• Building infrastructure.
• Enhancing workforce capacity.
• Strengthening diagnostics capabilities, including laboratory services.
References:
Canfell K, et al. Mortality impact of achieving WHO cervical cancer elimination targets: a comparative modelling analysis in 78 low-income and lower-middle-income countries. The Lancet, Volume 395, Issue 10224, 591 - 603.
WHO. To eliminate cervical cancer in the next 100 years, implementing an effective strategy is critical. [Internet; cited 18 Apr 2025] Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/04-02-2020-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer-in-the-next-100-years.
Makanjuola-Akinola S, et al. (2024, September 17). Beyond HPV vaccination: Why we need a comprehensive approach to eliminate cervical cancer. World Economic Forum. [Internet; cited 18 Apr 2025] Available from: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/09/cervicalcancer-beyond-hpv-vaccination-comprehensive-approach/.
Zarocostas J (2024). Renewed calls to scale-up cervical cancer screening. The Lancet, Volume 403, Issue 10429.
Guida F, et al. (2022). Global and regional estimates of orphans attributed to maternal cancer mortality in 2020. Nature medicine, 28(12), 2563–2572.
POLITICO, ACCESS International Consensus Group on Cervical Cancer. Eliminating cervical cancer to save women’s lives [Internet; cited 18 Apr 2025]. Available from: https://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/eliminating-cervical-cancer-to-save-womens-lives/.
World Economic Forum. (2025). A blueprint to close the women’s health gap. [Internet; cited 12 May 2025] Available from: https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Blueprint_to_Close_the_Women%E2%80%99s_Health_Gap_2025.pdf.
Philipson TJ, Durie T, Cong Z, et al. The aggregate value of cancer screenings in the United States: full potential value and value considering adherence. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 829 (2023).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Visualization Tool. [Internet; cited 12 May 2025] Available from: https://gis.cdc.gov/Cancer/USCS/?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcancer%2Fdataviz%2Findex.htm#/ SurvivalbyStage/.
cobas® HPV 58/68/8800 Package Insert, US, Rev 2.0, 2025. 11 CINtec® PLUS Cytology Package Insert, US, Rev D, 2024. 12 CINtec® Histology Package Insert, US, Rev E, 2023.