Study Shows Cervical Cancer Could be Eliminated by 2100

According to a new study, cervical cancer could become eradicated by the end of the century. With a increased surge in research, greater use of the human papillomavirus vaccine, and screenings becoming more common, it is projected that the number of cases will drop by the millions in the coming years.

The World Health Organization has called for a renewed coordinated efforts in finally pushing back against cervical cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in women across the globe. Cervical cancer is responsible for the deaths of 300,000 woman each year, with an estimated 570,000 new cases every year.

This new study, published in The Lancet Oncology journal, provides an outline as to how experts plan to eradicate the disease once and for all. One of the major causes of cervical cancer is HPV, which is among more than 100 sexually transmitted disease. With the efficacy of HPV vaccines, it is estimated that up to 84 to 90 percent cases of cervical cancers can be prevented.

In developed nations, if a comprehensive vaccination program could be implemented, the study estimates that cervical cancer could be eliminated within 25 to 40 years. The same is true for low-income nations, if compounded with the fact that the general public would receive greater education and understanding into the importance of HPV screenings and the benefits of getting the HPV vaccine.

The study predicts that if cervical cancer screenings are ramped up to a large-scale degree by 2020, more than 5 million cases could be prevented over the course of 50 years. This would sharply reduce the number of cases to just 4 per 100,000 in 149 countries. This could be a potential path for humankind to essentially eradicate a type of cancer that has killed millions over the course of history.