The United Nations has issued a stark reminder on the first official World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day: every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer, despite it being one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. Recognized annually on November 17, the day was adopted by the World Health Assembly to drive global action toward eliminating cervical cancer through improved access to HPV vaccination, early screening, and timely treatment.
&ldquo;Every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer. Access to screening, vaccination, and treatment is key to ending this preventable disease,&rdquo; the UN shared on social media. The World Health Organization reinforced the message, highlighting that regular screening and treatment of precancerous lesions, combined with HPV vaccination, can significantly reduce incidence rates. Cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women, with an estimated 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths recorded in 2022.
Alarmingly, nearly 90 percent of cervical cancer deaths occur in low-income countries, where access to healthcare, vaccines, and diagnostic tools remains limited. The disease, caused primarily by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), disproportionately affects women living with conditions like HIV. According to WHO, women with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer if not screened or treated early.
This year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Act Now: Eliminate Cervical Cancer,&rdquo; calls on governments and health systems globally to accelerate progress toward the WHO&rsquo;s 90-70-90 targets by 2030: vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15, screening 70% of women by ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90% of women with cervical disease receive treatment. &ldquo;Elimination is within reach if we act now, together,&rdquo; the WHO said, urging stakeholders to bridge healthcare gaps and safeguard future generations.

One Woman Dies of Cervical Cancer Every 2 Minutes

UN issues warning on first Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, urges immediate action

One Woman Dies of Cervical Cancer Every 2 Minutes

UN issues warning on first Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, urges immediate action

November 17, 2025 | 18:07 IST