WHO Europe reported on a meeting of over 100 experts and policy-makers from 42 countries and 7 partner organizations in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss the prevention of cervical cancer in the WHO European Region. This cancer kills 30 000 women in Europe every year. Gauden Galea, Director of the Division of Noncommunicable Diseases and Health Promotion at WHO/Europe, said, “We must be explicit in the message that vaccination and screening are about preventing cancer and saving lives. Given the technology and the level of development in our Region, women in Europe have a right to be protected from this cancer. It is not just a matter of public health; this is a matter of women’s rights.”

http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-publish/information-for-the-media/sections/latest-press-releases/deaths-of-30-000-women-can-be-prevented-whoeurope-calls-for-more-action-on-cervical-cancer