GSK and China Cancer Foundation Sign Strategic Cooperation Memorandum at the Third CIIE to Advance Cervical Cancer Prevention and Women's Health
Nov 07, 2020 14:35
CST Updated
14:35
GSK
Pharmaceutical R&D Manufacturer
On November 6, 2020, at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) in China, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced the formal signing of a strategic cooperation memorandum with the China Cancer Foundation (CFC). Under the agreement, the collaboration between the two parties will focus on the prevention and control of cervical cancer, fully leverage their respective resource advantages, implement initiatives for early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, and promote the development of "Healthy China."
Qi Xin, Vice President of GSK and General Manager of Prescription Drugs and Vaccines in China, stated: “We are delighted to launch a series of collaborations with the China Cancer Foundation, including public disease education and professional training for vaccination physicians. Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. This partnership aims to raise awareness of cervical cancer prevention and control among Chinese women. Over the next two years, we plan to conduct training for grassroots healthcare workers in key cities, enabling primary care physicians to reach households within their jurisdictions and thereby advancing China’s efforts in the early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. Moving forward, we will continue to uphold our long-term commitment of ‘Being Rooted in China, Partnering with China, and Serving China’ through concrete actions, driving substantial progress in China’s immunization initiatives and truly translating the value of vaccines into the value of life.”
Kong Lingzhi, Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Foundation for Cancer (CFC), stated, “China currently sees approximately 3.8 million new cancer cases and around 2.29 million cancer-related deaths annually. Cancer has become a major public health issue posing a serious threat to the health of Chinese residents. Each year, there are approximately 110,000 new cervical cancer cases in China, accounting for one-fifth of the global total. The ‘Healthy Cities – Cervical Cancer Prevention’ project initiated by CFC aims to implement the ‘Outline of the Healthy China 2030 Plan,’ the ‘Healthy China Action – Implementation Plan for Cancer Prevention and Control (2019–2022),’ and the ‘Medium- and Long-Term Plan for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases in China (2017–2025)’ issued by the General Office of the State Council. The project seeks to support early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, enhance management standards, promote training and public awareness, improve knowledge and skills, and contribute to the Healthy China initiative.”
Prevention First: Correctly Understand and Disseminate Knowledge on HPV Prevention and Control
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus with more than 200 genotypes. Statistics show that over 80% of women will be exposed to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives. Sexual activity is the primary route of HPV infection, and factors such as early pregnancy, abortion, and long-term use of contraceptive pills may increase the risk of HPV infection. Close contact involving the hands, feet, anus, oral cavity, and even the mucous membranes of the throat can also lead to infection.
According to relevant statistical data, cervical cancer is the second most common malignant tumor among women aged 15–44 worldwide. The World Health Organization predicts that, without intervention measures, the number of women dying from cervical cancer globally is expected to increase by 50% by 2030. In China, cervical cancer ranks first among malignant tumors of the female reproductive system, with approximately 47,700 deaths annually. Data from the National Cancer Registry Center shows that while the incidence rates of various cancers have remained relatively stable over the past 12 years, with some even showing a downward trend, cervical cancer has exhibited a significant and continuous upward trend.
Given the clear etiology of cervical cancer, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed in 2018 a strategy aiming that by 2030, 90% of girls are vaccinated against HPV before age 15, 70% of women undergo high-precision screening at ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease receive treatment and care. If the WHO-recommended prevention and control strategies are implemented, cervical cancer mortality is projected to decrease by 30% by 2030.
Professor Qiao Youlin from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the School of Population Medicine and Public Health at Peking Union Medical College stated: “Currently, there are three levels of prevention for cervical cancer. Primary prevention includes HPV vaccination and health education; secondary prevention involves cervical cancer screening and treatment of precancerous lesions; tertiary prevention focuses on the management of cervical cancer patients. The vaccine demonstrates a favorable safety profile in women aged 9–45 years. In women aged 18–45 years, the vaccine effectively prevents the vast majority of cervical precancerous lesions and persistent infections. Therefore, adolescents and women of reproductive age should prioritize both vaccination and screening, and efforts to promote public awareness, science popularization, and education for women should be significantly intensified.”
Early Prevention and Early Treatment: Supporting the Realization of the Healthy China 2030 Goals
Despite the availability of cervical cancer vaccines in China, the vast majority of the population still lacks sufficient understanding of the disease and its prevention. It is crucial to strengthen public education on cervical cancer and enhance public awareness. At present, society as a whole should take prompt action to achieve the goals of cervical cancer prevention and control at the earliest possible stage.
To enhance public awareness of HPV and the prevention and control of cervical cancer, GSK entered into a strategic agreement with the China Cancer Foundation at this year’s China International Import Expo. The two parties plan to launch demonstration projects for the “Healthy Cities – Cervical Cancer Prevention” training and science popularization campaign in ten key cities over the next two years. Approximately 1,000 primary healthcare workers will be trained to improve their knowledge and skills in the early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. Educational materials and resources supporting training and public education on early prevention and treatment will be developed. Efforts will be made to strengthen the integration of new media with training and science communication, exploring content and formats that are engaging and well-received by the general public. Science popularization campaigns on the early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer will be conducted to raise public awareness, foster positive attitudes, and encourage proactive behaviors, thereby implementing actions for early prevention and treatment and accelerating the realization of the “Healthy China” initiative.
As early as 2017, GSK announced the official launch of Cervarix, the first cervical cancer vaccine approved in China, to meet the substantial health needs of eligible Chinese women for cervical cancer prevention through vaccination. In addition to fostering collaborations with relevant domestic institutions, GSK will actively introduce innovative vaccine products and advanced immunoprophylaxis solutions, expand vaccine accessibility, advance the development of China’s healthcare sector, and benefit the Chinese population.
Kong Lingzhi, Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Foundation for Cancer (CFC), stated, “China currently sees approximately 3.8 million new cancer cases and around 2.29 million cancer-related deaths annually. Cancer has become a major public health issue posing a serious threat to the health of Chinese residents. Each year, there are approximately 110,000 new cervical cancer cases in China, accounting for one-fifth of the global total. The ‘Healthy Cities – Cervical Cancer Prevention’ project initiated by CFC aims to implement the ‘Outline of the Healthy China 2030 Plan,’ the ‘Healthy China Action – Implementation Plan for Cancer Prevention and Control (2019–2022),’ and the ‘Medium- and Long-Term Plan for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases in China (2017–2025)’ issued by the General Office of the State Council. The project seeks to support early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, enhance management standards, promote training and public awareness, improve knowledge and skills, and contribute to the Healthy China initiative.”
Prevention First: Correctly Understand and Disseminate Knowledge on HPV Prevention and Control
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus with more than 200 genotypes. Statistics show that over 80% of women will be exposed to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives. Sexual activity is the primary route of HPV infection, and factors such as early pregnancy, abortion, and long-term use of contraceptive pills may increase the risk of HPV infection. Close contact involving the hands, feet, anus, oral cavity, and even the mucous membranes of the throat can also lead to infection.
According to relevant statistical data, cervical cancer is the second most common malignant tumor among women aged 15–44 worldwide. The World Health Organization predicts that, without intervention measures, the number of women dying from cervical cancer globally is expected to increase by 50% by 2030. In China, cervical cancer ranks first among malignant tumors of the female reproductive system, with approximately 47,700 deaths annually. Data from the National Cancer Registry Center shows that while the incidence rates of various cancers have remained relatively stable over the past 12 years, with some even showing a downward trend, cervical cancer has exhibited a significant and continuous upward trend.
Given the clear etiology of cervical cancer, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed in 2018 a strategy aiming that by 2030, 90% of girls are vaccinated against HPV before age 15, 70% of women undergo high-precision screening at ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease receive treatment and care. If the WHO-recommended prevention and control strategies are implemented, cervical cancer mortality is projected to decrease by 30% by 2030.
Professor Qiao Youlin from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the School of Population Medicine and Public Health at Peking Union Medical College stated: “Currently, there are three levels of prevention for cervical cancer. Primary prevention includes HPV vaccination and health education; secondary prevention involves cervical cancer screening and treatment of precancerous lesions; tertiary prevention focuses on the management of cervical cancer patients. The vaccine demonstrates a favorable safety profile in women aged 9–45 years. In women aged 18–45 years, the vaccine effectively prevents the vast majority of cervical precancerous lesions and persistent infections. Therefore, adolescents and women of reproductive age should prioritize both vaccination and screening, and efforts to promote public awareness, science popularization, and education for women should be significantly intensified.”
Early Prevention and Early Treatment: Supporting the Realization of the Healthy China 2030 Goals
Despite the availability of cervical cancer vaccines in China, the vast majority of the population still lacks sufficient understanding of the disease and its prevention. It is crucial to strengthen public education on cervical cancer and enhance public awareness. At present, society as a whole should take prompt action to achieve the goals of cervical cancer prevention and control at the earliest possible stage.
To enhance public awareness of HPV and the prevention and control of cervical cancer, GSK entered into a strategic agreement with the China Cancer Foundation at this year’s China International Import Expo. The two parties plan to launch demonstration projects for the “Healthy Cities – Cervical Cancer Prevention” training and science popularization campaign in ten key cities over the next two years. Approximately 1,000 primary healthcare workers will be trained to improve their knowledge and skills in the early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. Educational materials and resources supporting training and public education on early prevention and treatment will be developed. Efforts will be made to strengthen the integration of new media with training and science communication, exploring content and formats that are engaging and well-received by the general public. Science popularization campaigns on the early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer will be conducted to raise public awareness, foster positive attitudes, and encourage proactive behaviors, thereby implementing actions for early prevention and treatment and accelerating the realization of the “Healthy China” initiative.
As early as 2017, GSK announced the official launch of Cervarix, the first cervical cancer vaccine approved in China, to meet the substantial health needs of eligible Chinese women for cervical cancer prevention through vaccination. In addition to fostering collaborations with relevant domestic institutions, GSK will actively introduce innovative vaccine products and advanced immunoprophylaxis solutions, expand vaccine accessibility, advance the development of China’s healthcare sector, and benefit the Chinese population.