IGCS ACCESS - Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategies Symposium-ACCESS Africa Part 2

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session, led by Dr. Kathleen Schmaler and colleagues, focuses on Pillar 3 of cervical cancer elimination: building capacity for treatment and multidisciplinary care, primarily in Africa. The IGCS Gynecologic Oncology Global Fellowship program has been instrumental in training local gynecologic oncologists in their home countries through partnerships, virtual training, and in-person mentorship, now with over 60 graduates across 18 countries. This approach addresses gaps between screening and treatment, especially for patients requiring procedures beyond ablation.<br /><br />Panelists from Uganda, Malawi, Canada, and Brazil shared their experiences, highlighting challenges like low HPV vaccine uptake, limited screening, and scarce surgical and radiotherapy resources. Malawi recently acquired its first radiotherapy unit, marking progress in managing locally advanced cervical cancer. Training pathways vary, and while specialized gynecologic oncologists are ideal for radical surgeries, some countries task-shift procedures to general OB-GYNs or nurses, balancing local realities and workforce availability.<br /><br />Sustainability depends on country-specific strategies, government commitment, and fair remuneration to retain specialists. Lessons from Brazil and Mozambique emphasize long-term capacity building and local ownership.<br /><br />A second panel discussed multidisciplinary care (MDT) clinics in Botswana and South Africa, stressing coordinated care, communication between specialists, standardized pathology reporting, and innovative tools like outpatient tracking applications to reduce treatment delays. Effective MDTs improve patient outcomes by streamlining diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up.<br /><br />The session concluded emphasizing the importance of national cervical cancer elimination plans—currently scarce in Africa but growing. The IGCS plans to create resources and mapping tools to support countries in developing strategies and advocate for investment in comprehensive cervical cancer control, integrating prevention, treatment, and palliative care. Continuing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy are vital to accelerate progress towards elimination.

Keywords

cervical cancer elimination

Pillar 3

treatment capacity building

multidisciplinary care

IGCS Gynecologic Oncology Global Fellowship

Africa

training and mentorship

HPV vaccine uptake

radiotherapy resources

task-shifting in surgery

national cervical cancer plans