With the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), adolescent girls could prevent cervical cancer and its pre-cancerous lesions.

The HPV vaccines, which evidence suggests are safe and effective, are currently being made available to all adolescent girls in Argentina, Canada, Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Panama and Peru. Universal use of the vaccine could prevent as much as 70% of cervical cancer cases.  

More than 400,000 women are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer each year in the Americas, and some 120,000 die from these diseases. Both types of cancer are preventable and treatable through screening, early diagnosis and proper treatment.

This year, an initiative launched at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, brings together partners from different sectors to step up action for the prevention and control of cervical and breast cancer. Read more about the "Women’s Cancer Initiative: A joint commitment to save lives".

• World Cancer Day PAHO Web Page