"Women hold up half the sky. What a powerful statement!" said Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 during a collective talk with the new leadership of the All-China Women's Federation.

During the talk, President Xi emphasized the crucial role of women in national development and stressed that "without the emancipation and progress of women, there can be no emancipation and progress of humanity."

Protecting women's rights and safeguarding women's health have always been key undertakings that the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government are committed to, he said.

As pointed out in the white paper, "Practice and Achievements in Advancing the Comprehensive Development of Women in the New Era," "Treating gender equality as a basic national policy is an innovative initiative of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics." Health, as the cornerstone of women's comprehensive development, is the underlying theme of this "innovation."

The health of women and children is the cornerstone of national health, and cervical cancer and breast cancer are two major threats to women's health. According to data from a press conference held by the National Health Commission (NHC) on October 18, 2024, there were 151,000 new cases of cervical cancer in China in 2022, with an incidence rate of 13.8 per 100,000. In the same year, there were 56,000 deaths from cervical cancer, with a mortality rate of 4.5 per 100,000.

"Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV," according to the World Health Organization, and "being vaccinated is the best way to prevent HPV infection, cervical cancer, and other HPV-related cancers. Screening can detect cervical precancers that can be treated before they develop into cancer."

With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, as well as the continuous changes in residents' lifestyles, the risk of developing these two types of cancer is increasing. Thus, a nationwide campaign to prevent and treat these two types of cancer has become a critical public health effort. 

China's prevention and treatment of cervical and breast cancer have focused on inclusiveness and precision from the very beginning. As early as 2009, the state began offering free screenings for cervical and breast cancer to rural women through major public health service projects. Jointly promoted by the NHC and the All-China Women's Federation, these projects provide free screening services for eligible women aged 35 to 64. According to data from the NHC, by 2023, nearly 290 million free cervical cancer screenings had been conducted nationwide, detecting 902,000 cases of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Meanwhile, 190 million free breast cancer screenings were conducted, identifying 149,000 cases of breast cancer. Behind these figures lies the hope of early diagnosis and treatment for countless women.

In January 2023, the release of the "Action Plan for Accelerating the Elimination of Cervical Cancer (2023-2030)" marked a significant step toward comprehensive protection against these two types of cancer. Aligning with the requirements of the "Healthy China 2030 Planning Outline" and responding to the World Health Organization's global strategy for eliminating cervical cancer, this plan specifies three-level prevention measures – promoting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and standardized treatment – to build a health shield for women at all stages of life.

In advancing cervical and breast cancer screening for women in China, the core goal has always been to "bring services to every woman in need," with particular attention to adapting and covering diverse life scenarios. Screening efforts are tailored to meet the needs of working women. In Santai County, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, mobile medical vehicles were driven to factories to provide free screenings for over 320 female employees. Additionally, knowledge promotion zones were set up to promote prevention and treatment awareness and encourage women to adopt healthy living habits.

In rural and remote areas, mobile screening vehicles are key to bridging the "last mile" of service access. Equipped with complete testing equipment and professional medical teams, these vehicles follow pre-planned routes, stopping at small mountain villages and towns far from county seats to provide services. In the Xiaodian District of Taiyuan City, in northern China's Shanxi Province, mobile medical teams for breast and cervical cancer screenings visited Xilijie Village, bringing health services directly to the doorsteps of rural women.

"We rural women stay busy and put our health last, so it's great that the medical team came to the village for checkups," said one woman surnamed Wang who underwent screening.

Meanwhile, screening services are also adjusted to fit the schedules of women in different occupations. In Kuqa City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, relying on medical aid resources from other provinces, 720,000 yuan of aid funds was invested to provide special screenings for 2,000 urban female employees. After re-examination, one employee said, "The annual screenings give me a great sense of security." From cities to villages, and from factories to communities, the chain of "two cancers" prevention and treatment continues to extend, weaving a broad and caring health security network.

The launch of the domestic nine-valent HPV vaccine has further strengthened China's confidence in achieving "independent and controllable" women's health protection.

In June 2024, the National Medical Products Administration announced the approval of the first domestic nine-valent HPV vaccine, Cecolin 9. On September 10 of the same year, the world's first dose of this vaccine was administered in Haicang District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province. 

The vaccine has broken the long market monopoly of foreign products. It not only allows more women to access high-quality protection at a more affordable price but also signals that China is gradually becoming a global leader in the field of breast and cervical cancer prevention and treatment.

Every step China takes in the prevention and treatment of cervical and breast cancer embodies the people-centered governance philosophy and reflects the warmth of the "Healthy China" initiative. This protection is not only a guarantee for women's lives and health but also a strong response to the idea that "women hold up half the sky." When health becomes the foundation for women to pursue their dreams, they will surely shine more brightly on the stages of family happiness, social development, and national progress. Moreover, the model of "policy guarantee, grassroots collaboration and independent scientific research" explored by China in the prevention and treatment of these two types of cancer has contributed a replicable Chinese solution to the global cause of women's health, advancing steadily toward the global goal of eliminating cervical cancer.