Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. It is also one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, if detected early and managed effectively.
As part of London Global Cancer Week, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Cancer Research UK will host a panel discussion and Q&A session at the Houses of Parliament bringing together individuals and organisations working in cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and women's health to discuss what the global community can do to advocate for and accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.
The event will seek to raise awareness of the health and gender disparities associated with cervical cancer, highlight the current funding and health system challenges, discuss policy solutions, and explore the next steps for continued advocacy in cancer prevention - both at the national and global levels.
The speaker panel consists of:
- The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC – Commonwealth Secretary General
- Michelle Mitchell OBE – Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Research UK
- Prof Mary Ann Lumsden OBE – Chief Executive Officer, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)
- Prof Peter Sasieni – Director of King’s Clinical Trials Unit & Professor of Cancer Prevention, King’s College London
Eliminating cervical cancer is a priority issue for the Commonwealth, which carries a significant cervical cancer burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Whilst it represents only 30 per cent of the world's population, the Commonwealth accounts for 40 per cent of global cervical cancer incidence and 43 per cent of global cervical cancer mortality.
At the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, leaders committed to eliminating cervical cancer by ensuring that all girls under age 13 have access to immunity from HPV through vaccination by 2025. In her deliberations, the Secretary-General will highlight the role that the Commonwealth can play in driving global progress and what the UK and other stakeholders can do to support this effort.
**Please note that this is a closed event. For further information, please contact the Health Team at [email protected].
An outcome summary will be made available on our website after the event.
