Alabama Department of Public Health, in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, TogetHer for Health, Rotary Club of Birmingham, and the American Cancer Society launched a statewide action plan, Wipe Out Cervical Cancer, to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama.

Cervical cancer is entirely preventable through vaccination against cancer-causing strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), periodic cervical screenings, and if necessary, treatment of cervical lesions before they can develop into cancer. Yet, Alabama ranks third in mortality and incidence of cervical cancer in the United States (U.S.) with great disparities across races and counties.

HPV vaccinations are a powerful tool to protect children and adolescents before they are exposed to the virus, cervical cancer screening among women 21 and 65 years of age, and appropriate follow-up and treatment in the event of women having cervical cancer screening abnormal results before it turns into cancer.

The plan is the result of a summit, hosted by the UAB OB/GYN Department and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, held in Birmingham, AL in the fall of 2022, where primary care providers and public health leaders representing 42 of the 67 Alabama counties came together to identify barriers, facilitators, and solutions to cervical cancer prevention and control in Alabama.

A news conference took place at the Alabama Department of Health in Montgomery, Alabama on Monday, May 8th at 10 a.m. Speakers included Scott Harris, M.D., Health Officer, Alabama Department of Public Health, Isabel Scarinci, PhD, MPH, Vice-Chair for Global and Rural Health at UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Heather White, DrPH, Executive Director of TogetHer for Health, Dan Stephens, Executive Director of Rotary Club of Birmingham, and Anna Lisa Weigel, Associate Director for Cancer Center Partnerships, American Cancer Society. The community can watch the recording of the news conference online.

The plan represents a roadmap with evidence-based strategies to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama by 2033. Specific benchmarks will be monitored toward the achievement of this goal. “The launching of the statewide action plan is a historic milestone in the fight against cervical cancer in Alabama,” said Wright. “It is an opportunity for all segments of society to get involved, including parents, physicians, business leaders, community-based organizations, public health systems, and academic centers.”

Some of the strategies include providing the community with information and support to get children and teenagers vaccinated against HPV, for women to get screened, and support for follow-up in the event of abnormal results regardless of their ability to pay for these services.

“The identified strategies are evidence-based and not limited to education only,” said Scarinci. “It is also important that we make sure parents know where to get their children vaccinated and women know where they get screened for cervical cancer. Women also need to be assured that they will have the support and care in the event of abnormal cervical cancer screening results.”

“This is a major win and a step forward for the women in the state of Alabama. We are so grateful and excited to be able to work side by side with the Alabama Department of Public Health to launch this campaign and serve as true leaders and advocates for cervical cancer prevention and elimination in the United States,” said Dr. Warner Huh, Chair, UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Click here for more information on the statewide action plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama.