Associate feature: Eliminating cervical cancer in Scotland: what’s next?

MSD has funded and had editorial control over this article.

Every year in Scotland, over 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer,¹ causing almost 100 deaths – with signficantly higher death rates in Scotland than the UK average.² Yet, 99% of cervical cancer cases are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection,³ and are therefore preventable through HPV vaccination and cervical screening. This means that a future where cervical cancer no longer causes needless deaths is truly within reach.

Recognising this opportunity, in 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) set a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. The WHO stipulates that to work towards elimination, countries should ensure that, by 2030, 90% of eligible girls are fully vaccinated by age 15, 70% of women are accessing cervical screening at ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women with pre-cancer and invasive cancer are treated.⁴ Australia is currently leading the charge globally, and expects to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.⁵

Scotland is well-placed to lead the race to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK. Scotland is the only UK nation hitting the 90% HPV vaccination target (in S4 girls, 2022/23)⁶, and its success is further demonstrated by research showing that no cervical cancer cases have been detected in women who were fully vaccinated at age 12-13, since HPV vaccination was introduced in 2008.⁷

However, there is more to do. HPV does not discriminate – affecting 80% of us at some point in our lives⁸ – but stark inequalities exist in access to HPV vaccination and cervical screening. Women living in high areas of deprivation, with a physical or learning disability, from ethnic minority communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals, for example, are less likely to attend cervical screening.⁹ With cervical cancer incidence rates already falling much more slowly in the most deprived areas than in the least,¹⁰ the case for action is clear.

So, what now? The Scottish Government recently took the welcome step of establishing an Expert Group to advise on how Scotland can work towards elimination.¹¹ It is imperative that this group is empowered to play a meaningful role in agreeing a target date for elimination, following England’s 2023 commitment to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.¹² This should be underpinned by a robust implementation plan, with a dedicated focus on reducing inequalities.

At MSD, we are committed to playing our part in this journey. In December, we will be bringing our Race to Elimination campaign, which aims to celebrate Scotland’s success so far in the pursuit of cervical cancer elimination, to the Scottish Parliament. Only through cohesive and collaborative national action can we ensure that no community is left behind on the road to elimination.
 

^{1 & 2} Cancer Research UK 3NICE, Clinical Knowledge Summary: Cervical cancer and HPV⁴ World Health Organization, Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem⁵ The Guardian, Australia on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035^{6, 7 & 9} Public Health Scotland 8NOMAN, HPV Facts¹⁰ Scottish Government, National cancer plan: progress report¹¹ Scottish Parliament, Question reference: S6W-24720 GB-NON-09914 September 2024 Confidential¹² NHS England, NHS sets ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040

GB-NON-09914

September 2024
 

MSD has funded and had editorial control over this article.
www.msd.com