IGCS ACCESS - Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategies Symposium-ACCESS Africa Part 1

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The inaugural IGCS ACCESS Symposium in Cape Town marks the start of a five-year global initiative accelerating cervical cancer elimination strategies, focusing initially on Africa due to its high disease burden. Key pillars addressed include HPV vaccination, screening, treatment, and palliative care, with regional symposiums planned annually.<br /><br />Discussions highlighted the deployment and challenges of HPV vaccination across African countries such as Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya. Efforts vary from school-based to health facility-based and mixed delivery strategies, with coverage improved by adopting single-dose regimens and multi-age cohort campaigns. However, challenges remain with vaccine misinformation, cultural barriers, financial sustainability, reaching out-of-school girls, and internally displaced populations. Panelists emphasized the critical role of healthcare providers and community engagement in advocacy and education, noting the need for consistent training to overcome hesitancy even among clinicians.<br /><br />Screening advances center on transitioning from visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) to HPV-based testing, including self-collection methods, which are seen as equally effective and more acceptable. The integration of HPV testing with timely treatment, such as thermal ablation, is vital to prevent loss to follow-up and optimize outcomes. Task shifting from physicians to nurses and community health workers was advocated to expand service reach and efficiency. Data collection through cancer registries is underscored as a crucial component to monitor program effectiveness.<br /><br />Country case studies from Kenya, Nigeria, and Mozambique demonstrate progress in HPV screening guideline development, workforce training, and policy formation alongside plans for scaling up access. Critical recommendations include creating resilient, adaptable screening algorithms informed by local data, expanding fiscal commitment beyond donor reliance, and fostering unified regional advocacy to harmonize messaging, combat stigma, and sustain elimination efforts. The session concluded with calls for concerted action across clinical, policy, and community levels to realize the 2030 cervical cancer elimination goals in Africa and beyond.

Keywords

IGCS ACCESS Symposium

cervical cancer elimination

HPV vaccination

Africa health initiatives

cervical cancer screening

palliative care

Tanzania HPV program

Ethiopia vaccination challenges

Nigeria cervical cancer strategies

Kenya screening guidelines

single-dose HPV vaccine

multi-age cohort campaigns

vaccine misinformation

thermal ablation treatment

community health workers