Africa has the highest Cervical Cancer deaths

Africa is the most dangerous place to be a woman with cervical cancer. Ten of the countries with the highest cervical cancer mortality rate can be found in Africa. According Cervical Cancer Crisis card that used data from official reports by the World Health Organisation, United Nations, The World Bank, and IARC Globocan, Rwanda is ranked tenth globally A list of 50 countries were chosen to provide a snapshot of the world and reflect geographic, economic and population variations (and where data was available – some countries like Afghanistan have insufficient data). Jennifer Smith, Executive Director of the Cervical Cancer Free Coalition said: “Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer, yet we are still seeing so many deaths around the world. “We are working towards building networks across the globe to help support our common goal of a world free of cervical cancer. Together we can dramatically reduce this disease through vaccination, screening and education,” she said in a press release issued Friday. In African countries, Zambia takes the lion’s share with the highest mortality rate at 38.6 per 100,000 women followed Zambia 38.6, Malawi 38.3, United Republic ofTanzania37.5, Uganda 34.9, Mozambique 34.5, Zimbabwe 33.4,Mali 28.4, Ghana 27.6, Rwanda 25.4 and Nigeria 22.9 respectively. The Cervical Cancer Crisis Card: Death Count, reveals the huge number of women dying in Asia. India alone represents 26.4 per cent of all women dying of cervical cancer globally, with China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand also showing high death incidence. “It is shocking that Zambia is ranked number 1 on the Cervical Cancer Crisis Card for mortality rate,” said Zambia’s First Lady Christine Kaseba. “We can change this by making life saving vaccines available that almost entirely prevent the disease. We have the tools and technologies. This Mother’s Day we must stop talking and act to save women’s lives.” Cervical cancer kills an estimated 275,000 women every year and 500,000 new cases are reported worldwide. This entirely preventable disease is the second largest cancer killer of women in low and middle-income countries, with most women dying in the prime of life. According to the card, while numerous tools and technologies exist to prevent cervical cancer, the interventions remain largely inaccessible to the girls and women who need them most. Despite the proven link between the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, HPV vaccines are not yet widely available and screening rates remain low in much of the world. Lack of awareness and deep seated stigma associated with the disease also pose significant barriers to access. Projections show that by 2030, almost half a million women will die of cervical cancer, with over 98 per cent of these deaths expected to occur in low and middle income countries.