How China is implementing its plan to eliminate cervical cancer, a key WHO goal

Editor's note: January marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, with the World Health Organization calling for accelerated action to eliminate this preventable disease. Cervical cancer, caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), is also one of the few cancers that can be eliminated through vaccination, screening, and timely treatment.

In recent years, China has been establishing a prevention system across the country. CGTN spoke with Professor Zhao Fanghui, director of the Department of Cancer Epidemiology at the National Cancer Center / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Since the late 1990s, she has dedicated herself to cervical cancer prevention and research. During the past three decades, this scientist has witnessed China's journey from a fast-learner to an aspiring pioneer, contributing fresh experience to the global effort to eliminate cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is a preventable and, when detected early, curable disease. Yet it remains the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. In China, the burden is particularly heavy due to its large population. In 2022 alone, an estimated 151,000 new cases were diagnosed and about 56,000 women died from the disease, accounting for nearly one-fifth of global cases, according to public data.

In response, China has been systematically building a defense system, covering HPV vaccination, early screening and standardized treatment. Professor Zhao Fanghui, a leading epidemiologist at the National Cancer Center, has witnessed this national transformation.

Vaccination: From innovation to national program

While HPV vaccination is highly effective, high costs and limited supply of imported vaccines long left many unprotected. A breakthrough came in 2019 with China's first domestically developed HPV vaccine, making the country the third to independently produce one. However, reaching all eligible girls across a vast and diverse nation remained a challenge.

"We conducted health economics and modeling studies tailored to China's context," said Professor Zhao. "The evidence supported policy-making on vaccination strategy and pricing – all aimed at integrating HPV vaccines into the established national immunization program."

After years of scientific evaluation and pilot projects, HPV vaccination was formally incorporated into China's national immunization program in November 2025. Girls born after November 10, 2011, are now eligible for free bivalent HPV vaccination at age 13.

Martin Taylor, WHO Representative to China, hailed the move as a major breakthrough for women's health in China and a strong boost for global cervical cancer elimination.

Zhao noted the importance of public awareness in this process. "Nationwide education, training, and advocacy help the public understand the necessity of the vaccine, turning a global health recommendation into a trusted measure," she told CGTN.

Today, China's vaccine production not only meets domestic demand but also helps alleviate global shortages.

"Chinese vaccines, pre-qualified by WHO, have become a reliable option for international procurement," Zhao added.

Screening: Making detection accessible, smart

To lower costs, Zhao's team co-developed an accurate, rapid and low-cost HPV test that slashes expenses to one-tenth of previous methods. After successful pilots, HPV testing has been recommended as the primary screening method in China and integrated into the national basic public health service package.

To date, nearly 290 million free screenings have been conducted, detecting over 900,000 cases of cervical cancer or precancerous lesions, according to data from the National Health Commission, China's health authority.

Technology is revolutionizing the process as well. Self-sampling and point-of-care tests reduce waiting times from months to hours. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a key role.

"With AI-assisted colposcopy, images are analyzed in real time to flag suspicious areas, allowing doctors to focus on diagnosis," explained Zhao. "This speeds up the process and reduces reliance on highly specialized colposcopists."

According to Zhao, a smart management platform is helping strengthening the defense system. All patient data, including screening history, results and follow-up needs, are integrated into the platform.

"Community health workers can track, remind and follow up via smartphone. If a referral is needed, digital records and images are seamlessly transferred to higher-level hospitals, creating a traceable and manageable prevention network," she said.

Treatment: Preserving fertility

With cervical cancer affecting younger women in recent years, preserving fertility has become a pressing concern. Beyond prevention, China is advancing fertility-sparing treatments.

"New non-surgical techniques can cure lesions while protecting cervical tissue, and therapeutic HPV vaccines are undergoing clinical trials, offering new hope for treating HPV infections," Zhao said.

Going global: Sharing solutions

China is sharing its experience internationally. Through training programs, health professionals from other countries are invited to visit China to observe the prevention system in practice.

Zhao herself has contributed to six WHO cervical cancer prevention and control guidelines. Her team, supported by projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, exports Chinese technologies and strategies to developing countries. From 2022 to 2025, for example, a demonstration project in Nepal applied Chinese HPV vaccines and screening technology.

"Our project in Nepal is a typical package of technology, product and model," said Zhao. "We didn't just donate equipment and vaccines. We sent experts to train local doctors in screening, colposcopy and treatment. The goal is to help them build a sustainable 'small system' of their own." 

The project contributed to Nepal's launch of a national HPV vaccination program in 2025.

"Empowering local professionals is essential," Zhao said. "Through cross-country training and exchange, China's solutions can offer a reference, helping more regions develop localized strategies to move closer to the global goal of elimination, particularly in low and middle income countries."

To eliminate cervical cancer, all countries must reach and maintain an incidence rate of below four per 100,000 women, according to the WHO.

When asked about the feasibility of this goal, Zhao expressed confidence and personal commitment to the cause, saying, "I consider it an ambitious yet achievable blueprint. Eliminating cervical cancer is a public health challenge that can be broken down into actionable steps, implemented systematically, and tracked over time."

(Cover image is designed by Sha Yunjin.)