International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Launches Global Effort to Stop Cervical Cancer New Guidance and Partnerships Announced, Clinicians Called
Summary
Professor Harald zur Hausen, awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the link between the human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, was in Cape Town to lend his support to the initiatives of FIGO and IPA.Controlling cancer not only prevents death and disability but also will create improvement in the health and well-being of families,” says Joanna Cain MD, obstetrician and gynecologist-in-chief at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and the Chace/Joukowsky Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, who spearheaded the effort to develop the guidance.FIGO and IPA will create a unique partnership to increase informed uptake of the vaccine and improve prevention efforts for women by targeting girls, parents, and clinicians, particularly in developing countries where the disease is most severe.Tragically, over 80% of these deaths occur in developing countries, where often no solutions were available.“Science has done its part, now we must all work together to ensure that physicians are given the tools and support to put this knowledge to work, saving lives,” said Zur Hausen.Building on its commitment to improving women’s health around the world, FIGO has launched its new Global Guidance for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, providing the most up to date evidence for options to control this disease and urging its membership to take a comprehensive approach, utilizing the latest tools and cost-effective approaches.“FIGO has, and will, continue to expand its efforts to match the opportunities now at hand,” said Dr Dorothy Shaw MD, FIGO’s President who will be completing her term during this week’s Congress.Controlling cancer not only prevents death and disability but also will create improvement in the health and well-being of families,” says Joanna Cain MD, obstetrician and gynecologist-in-chief at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and the Chace/Joukowsky Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, who spearheaded the effort to develop the guidance.