One Million Youths Against Cervical Cancer: SIGN THIS PETITION

PETITION: ONE MILLION YOUTH AGAINST CERVICAL CANCER

This petition seeks to get the signatures of One million youth age (18-35 years) from all over the world to call the attention of the United Nations and the government of (developing) countries on the urgent need to address the incidence of Cervical Cancer among young people globally.

According to a Globocan (2008) report, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women, and the seventh overall, but recent statistics show that worldwide, cervical cancer is now second most common and the fifth deadliest cancer in women. It affects about 16 per 100,000 women per year and kills about 9 per 100,000 per year. Worldwide, in 2008, it was estimated that there were 473,000 cases of cervical cancer. Overall, the mortality: incidence ratio is 52%, and cervical cancer was responsible for 275 000 deaths in 2008, about 88% of which occured in developing countries: 53 000 in Africa, 31 700 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 159 800 in Asia.

High-risk regions are Eastern and Western Africa (ASR greater than 30 per 100,000), Southern Africa (26.8 per 100,000), South-Central Asia (24.6 per 100,000), South America and Middle Africa ( 23.9 and 23.0 per 100,000 respectively). Rates are lowest in Western Asia, Northern America and Australia/New Zealand (less than 6 per 100,000). Cervical cancer remains the most common cancer in women only in Eastern Africa, South-Central Asia and Melanesia.

These statistics show that the lives of young women are at risk of cervical cancer, especially in developing countries. This is due largely to late detection because of lack of access to screening and HPV testing in these countries.

Cervical Cancer is detectable, preventable and curable, if detected early. At the Women Deliver 2013 Conference, about 4, 500 gender experts met in Kuala Lumpur to proffer solutions to the many challenges affecting women and cervical cancer was discussed as well.

Objectives:

1. To make the voices of youth heard about cervical cancer;

2. To assist young people all over the world to become conscious of the risky behaviours that may make them vulnerable to the dreaded disease;

3. To make the governments of high-risk region improve efforts at preventing cervical cancer through providing access to screening, HPV Testing and Vaccines.

4. To ensure that Cervical Cancer is included in the post-2015 MDG plans.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Governments of high-risk countries become more committed to the prevention of Cervical Cancer through access to vaccines, screening, HPV Testing.

2. Cervical cancer is included in the post-2015 MDG plans.