Die WHO 2030 Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a three-point plan to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, according to which: 90% of girls worldwide should be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15; 70% of women should undergo cervical cancer screening with a high-performance test before the ages of 35 and 45; 90% of women with cervical disease should receive treatment. In Austria, the current vaccination rate for 14-year-olds is around 53%. The older the women, the lower the vaccination rates. Women need to request the screening themselves as part of a gynecological check-up. Australia, in contrast, is considered a pioneer in the prevention and control of cervical cancer. Thanks to comprehensive screening and HPV vaccination programs, the incidence of cervical cancer has halved in the last 30 years, and HPV vaccination coverage in the population is over 80%. According to estimates, Australia could be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer. Ongoing broad-based evaluations make it possible to adapt national strategies to new scientific findings. Austria could raise awareness and increase education regarding the vaccination program. Boys and older women (up to around 45 years of age) also benefit from HPV vaccination. However, it is essential to introduce a nationally organized screening program based on a scientifically superior test (HPV test instead of Pap smear). This would mean a significant reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer and its mortality for women in Austria. Austria could learn a lot from Australia in order to achieve the WHO targets in time.