Unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer is uniquely preventable and in some countries such as Finland death from this cancer has been greatly reduced. Yet even today across the EU there are great disparities in mortality rates. Cervical cancer still kills far too many women in eastern EU countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Baltic countries of Lithuania and Latvia.

Sadly, this cancer strikes women in their 30s and 40s at a time when many are bringing up young families or concentrating on their careers and enjoying busy lives. The cancer is a huge personal and emotional burden for women, their children, family and friends, as well as placing considerable medical and economic costs on society. And yet this is a cancer for which we have the knowledge and tools for prevention.

To see the European Institute of Womens Health Cervical Cancer Policy Brief please click here.