Global health and cytopathology with a focus on cervical cancer screening

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) test-based screening is now recommended by the World Health Organization towards global elimination of cervical cancer. This article introduces human resource development among pathologists and pathology technologists for cervical cancer screening in Cambodia and Japan ; furthermore, it highlights the changing role of cytotechnologists. We also describe the introduction of HPV test into a well-established cytology-based screening system in Europe, South-East Asia, and Latin American countries. Regardless of the screening method selected, a reliable system for triaging and linking screen-positive cases to early treatment is essential for achieving the goal of global elimination of cervical cancer. For effective linking of screening to cancer treatment, cancer registration for monitoring the screening system, political commitment, and securing a national or local budget for organized screening need to be considered.