Elimination of cervical cancer: Lessons learned from polio and earlier eradication programs

Abstract

This paper reviews definitions of control, elimination, and eradication and considers lessons learned from prior and current elimination/eradication efforts that might inform the current effort to eliminate cervical cancer. This task is complicated by the varying definitions of elimination extant. Lessons for cervical cancer elimination notably include the necessity for political will/champions; the need for a specific target with a time span; the need for program efforts to be guided by surveillance of disease and death (not just coverage); the need for accountability, monitoring, and evaluation at all levels; and the need for ongoing research. Although achieving the goal of elimination will be difficult, success will mean the prevention of millions of deaths due to cervical cancer.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Disease elimination; Disease eradication; Human papillomavirus vaccine; Measles; Poliomyelitis; Vaccine.