On October 18, the National Health Commission (NHC) held a press conference where Shen Haiping, the Director of the Women’s and Children’s Health Department, addressed the increasing risks women face regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, particularly in light of China’s deepening industrialization and urbanization. According to Shen, this rise in HPV infections correlates with a heightened risk of cervical cancer, which is increasingly affecting younger women.
During the conference, a journalist raised a question about the current state of cervical cancer in China, noting that it is the most common gynecological malignancy that threatens women’s physical and mental health. They inquired about the overall prevalence of cervical cancer in the country and what targeted prevention and treatment measures are in place.
Shen highlighted that cervical cancer is indeed the most frequent gynecological malignancy, with 151,000 new cases reported in 2022, resulting in an incidence rate of 13.8 per 100,000 women. It ranks fifth among cancers affecting women, with 56,000 deaths, leading to a mortality rate of 4.5 per 100,000 and placing it sixth among cancer deaths in women. These statistics underscore the serious threat cervical cancer poses to women’s health and the critical need for its prevention and control. The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection by high-risk types of HPV. As urbanization and industrialization progress in China, the risk of women contracting HPV infections is on the rise, further increasing the risk of cervical cancer, particularly among younger demographics.
Shen further explained that international consensus supports a three-tier prevention strategy for cervical cancer. The first level, primary prevention, focuses on health education and HPV vaccination to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. Secondary prevention includes cervical cancer screening and treatment of precancerous lesions to promote early detection and diagnosis. Tertiary prevention involves clinical treatment for diagnosed cervical cancer patients, along with health management and rehabilitation support to reduce mortality and improve patients’ quality of life.
Shen emphasized that China has long prioritized cervical cancer prevention and control, as reflected in significant planning documents such as the “Healthy China 2030 Planning Outline” and the “Outline for Women’s Development in China.” These frameworks set clear goals and tasks for cervical cancer prevention. In response to international calls for reducing the incidence of cervical cancer to 4 per 100,000 by the end of this century, the NHC, in collaboration with ten other departments, launched initiatives in 2023 aimed at accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer. This comprehensive approach promotes government leadership, inter-departmental collaboration, and community involvement in cervical cancer prevention.
Since 2009, China has also implemented a public health service program at the national level, jointly organized by the NHC and the All-China Women’s Federation, providing cervical cancer screening services for women aged 35 to 64. Leveraging maternal and child health service networks across regions, the program actively facilitates services, expanding the pool of women receiving free screenings. The capacity and quality of cervical cancer treatment are continually improving, contributing positively to women’s health and increasing life expectancy.
