According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths in 2020.

Facts about cervical cancer:

• The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low- and middle-income countries. This reflects major inequities driven by lack of access to national HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment services, and social and economic determinants.
• Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.
• Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are effective ways to prevent cervical cancer and are very cost-effective.
• Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.
• Countries around the world are working to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in the coming decades, with an agreed set of three targets to be met by 2030. 

If you have not been vaccinated for HPV, please contact the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre to discuss and potentially receive the HPV vaccine.

If you are sexually active and have not had a pap test in the last two years, contact the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre (healthcentre@upei.ca; 902-566-0616) or SHORS PEI (Sexual Health, Options and Reproductive Services, call toll free: 1-844-365-8258).