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Marking a Milestone: Q&A on the First World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day

Is it really possible to eliminate cervical cancer—not just reduce it or manage it, but wipe it off the map for good? The World Health Organization (WHO) says yes, and has set ambitious global targets to get there by 2030.

The WHO’s 90‑70‑90 cervical cancer elimination strategy calls for:

  • 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15
  • 70% of women screened by age 35 and again at 45
  • 90% of those diagnosed receiving timely treatment

But meeting this deadline will take more than aspiration—it will take collective action. And today is a major step forward.

November 17, 2025, is the first-ever World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, designated earlier this year by the World Health Assembly. Think of it like World AIDS Day or World Polio Day—global observances that didn’t just raise awareness, but helped spark the vaccines, screenings, and policies that pushed those diseases to the brink of eradication.

Cervivor, Inc. Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder and Nigeria’s First Lady and healthcare pioneer, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, were among the leaders who advocated for the day’s creation, including co-authoring a global call to action via the World Economic Forum to support it and elevate its importance on the world stage.

“I started Cervivor 20 years ago to support those affected by cervical cancer, hoping one day it wouldn’t be needed,” Tamika reflected at the time. “But too many communities are still suffering and dying from this preventable disease. A global day of recognition sends a powerful message: Awareness isn’t enough—the time for education, action, and elimination is now.”

Tamika delivers her annual “State of Cervical Cancer” address at the 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit—rallying survivors, advocates, and health leaders toward a future free from cervical cancer.

Below, we bring you an exclusive Q&A with Tamika and Dr. Bagudu, who is also Founder and CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), answering the same questions from Maryland, USA, and Kebbi State, Nigeria, respectively. Their voices—one from the frontlines of African health equity and the other from the heart of patient advocacy—remind us: Elimination isn’t a solo act. It’s a chorus.

Q: Why does World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day matter?

Tamika: As a cervical cancer survivor, this day feels deeply personal. It represents something I once couldn’t imagine: hope for a world where no one else has to hear the words “you have cervical cancer.” When the World Health Organization declared that eliminating cervical cancer is within reach, it turned our fight from awareness into action.

For survivors, this first official World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day is a milestone that honors every story, every loss, and every victory along the way. It reminds us that our voices matter and that lived experience can guide smarter policies, stronger outreach, and more compassionate care.

Dr. Bagudu: World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day is symbolic—a rallying point for action. The WHO’s declaration that elimination is within reach shows this is an achievable reality if we commit to the right strategies.

  • Globally, it unites countries around a common goal: HPV vaccination, wider screening, and timely treatment. As President-elect of the UICC, I see this observance as a vital tool to keep cervical cancer high on the agenda, especially for low- and middle-income countries.
  • Nationally in Nigeria, it validates years of advocacy by First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), which I co-founded. The FLAC Screening Clinic in Kebbi is one example of how global commitments can translate into local action.
  • Personally, it is deeply meaningful. As a physician, mother, and advocate, I have seen both the devastation of late diagnosis and the hope that comes with early screening or HPV vaccination.

Ultimately, this day transforms aspiration into accountability. It tells the world: We can, and we must, eliminate this disease in our lifetime.

Dr. Bagudu, presenting a diagram of the female reproductive system to women in a rural community in Kuje, Abuja, aims to empower people in her country—and around the world—with life-saving information on cervical cancer prevention and the importance of early screening.

Q: How can a global day like this drive real change?

Tamika: We’ve seen the power of global observances before. Days like World AIDS Day and World Polio Day didn’t just raise awareness; they mobilized action, funding, and accountability. World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day can do the same.

In the United States, it can shine a light on the inequities that persist in prevention and care while inspiring innovation and collaboration. When survivors, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates unite around a shared message, we can accelerate progress toward eliminating this preventable cancer.

Dr. Bagudu: Nigeria has made important strides. The government’s rollout of the HPV vaccination program is a landmark step, protecting millions of young girls. Screening services are also expanding, with initiatives like the FLAC Screening Clinic in Kebbi showing how early detection can be brought closer to communities.

Civil society has been central. Through First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), we’ve sustained awareness campaigns, mobilized resources, and ensured continuity of programs. Partnerships with groups like Roche and the Clinton Health Access Initiative have strengthened diagnostics and treatment pathways. And of course, the Medicaid Cancer Foundation is at the heart of it all.

Still, challenges remain. Many rural women face barriers of distance, cost, and stigma. Shortages of trained health workers delay follow-up and treatment. And while HPV vaccines are now part of the national program, consistent supply and uptake across all states will require sustained political will and funding.

For me, this progress proves that change is possible when government, civil society, and partners work together. But it also reminds us that elimination will not happen automatically—it demands accountability, innovation, and persistence.

Q: Why is cervical cancer elimination especially urgent in low-resource regions?

Tamika: The U.S. has the knowledge and tools to prevent nearly all cervical cancers, yet persistent inequities mean prevention isn’t reaching everyone. Communities of color, people in rural areas, immigrants, people without reliable insurance, and those with language or transportation barriers face higher risks and lower access to vaccination, screening, and timely treatment. As a survivor, I know how much access, awareness, and advocacy can determine outcomes.

Elimination in the U.S. must start with equity. That means expanding vaccination access in schools and clinics, funding community-led education, and supporting policies that make screening and treatment affordable and available for everyone. Until every community is reached, we have not truly achieved elimination.

At the recent Patient Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color in New Orleans, Tamika Felder (far right) leads survivors and advocates in grassroots outreach—bringing life-saving cervical cancer education directly into underserved communities.

Dr. Bagudu: Cervical cancer is a stark example of global health inequity. While it is increasingly rare in high-income countries, including the U.S., it remains a leading cause of cancer deaths in Africa, where women are more likely to be diagnosed late, less likely to access treatment, and more likely to die from a preventable disease.

In Nigeria, the challenges are clear:

  • Access is uneven; urban women may find screening in tertiary hospitals, but rural women face long distances, high costs, and limited awareness.
  • Stigma and cultural barriers discourage care until symptoms are advanced.
  • Health system gaps include shortages of trained personnel, diagnostic tools, and reliable vaccine supply chains.

Yet there are real opportunities. The national HPV vaccination rollout can protect millions of girls. Screening is expanding through models like the FLAC Clinic in Kebbi, which shows how state leadership can drive change. Through the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and First Ladies Against Cancer, we’ve raised awareness, supported patients, and built partnerships that strengthen care.

As President-elect of UICC, I can amplify Africa’s voice globally, while at the grassroots, we continue training health workers and engaging communities. Cervical cancer elimination is urgent because every delay costs lives—but with political will, investment, and collaboration, it is achievable, and African women must not be left behind.

Q: What progress have you seen—and what gaps remain?

Dr. Bagudu: We are at a turning point. In Nigeria and across Africa, real progress has been made against cervical cancer.

The national HPV vaccination rollout is a landmark milestone, protecting millions of girls. Screening services are expanding, with clinics like the FLAC Screening Clinic in Kebbi, and awareness campaigns are beginning to shift cultural attitudes. Treatment capacity is also improving, with more cancer centers equipped for radiotherapy and chemotherapy, while education efforts keep cancer high on the agenda.

Still, the gaps are stark. Too many women are diagnosed late, rural and low-income communities face barriers of distance, cost, and stigma, and health systems struggle with workforce shortages, supply chain issues, and limited palliative care.

This is why innovation is critical. Self-collection for HPV testing, digital health tools, mobile outreach, and task-shifting to community health workers can expand access dramatically.

The Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) is helping bridge these gaps by running awareness campaigns, supporting screening in urban and rural areas, providing financial and psychosocial support through our PACE program, and advocating for sustainable funding and best practices. Beyond Nigeria, we collaborate with regional and global partners to strengthen advocacy and ensure Africa’s challenges are reflected in international strategies.

In short, progress is real, but urgency remains. With innovation, collaboration, and sustained commitment, we can close the gaps and move decisively toward eliminating cervical cancer across the continent.

Dr. Bagudu speaks at the just-concluded Medicaid Cancer Foundation disbursement of roughly $70,000 to cancer patients in Abuja, highlighting the Foundation’s commitment to patient-centered care and financial support.

Tamika: From where I stand, what’s changing most is momentum. More people are learning that HPV causes cervical cancer, vaccination rates are improving in some regions, and new technologies like HPV self-collection are showing incredible promise. Survivors are stepping into leadership roles and helping shape the national conversation about prevention and equity.

But there is still work to do. Too many people remain unaware of their risk or lack access to timely screening and treatment. Stigma and fear continue to silence conversations about cervical health. Organizations like Cervivor are helping bridge those gaps by elevating survivor voices, promoting education, and partnering with health systems to ensure innovations reach those who need them most.

Q: What message would you share on this inaugural day?

Tamika: A future without HPV-related cancers looks like prevention in every community, equity in every policy, and hope in every story. It looks like the next generation growing up protected and informed. A world without cervical cancer means no more stories like mine—and that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.

Elimination is possible, but it will take continued investment, accountability, and survivor leadership. Those of us who have lived through cervical cancer know what’s at stake, and we’re committed to making sure no one else has to.

This collage features Cervivor community members from the U.S. and around the world, showcasing powerful patient advocacy and demonstrating what survivor leadership looks like in the fight to eliminate cervical cancer.

Dr. Bagudu: On this inaugural World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, my message is one of hope and urgency. Hope—because for the first time, we have the tools to end a cancer. Urgency—because every year of delay costs thousands of women’s lives, especially in Africa.

A future without HPV-related cancers is one where girls are routinely vaccinated, women have access to simple, affordable screening close to home, and treatment is available without stigma or financial hardship. It is a future where communities celebrate survivorship rather than mourn preventable loss.

To get there, governments must prioritize vaccination, screening, and treatment; global partners must ensure equitable access; and civil society—including the Medicaid Cancer Foundation—must continue raising awareness, supporting patients, and holding leaders accountable. Innovation, from self-collection for HPV testing to digital health tools, will also be key. 

If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with friends and family. Knowledge is power—and you may just save a life. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

Caring for Cancer Caregivers: Stories and Support from Cervivor

By Sara Lyle-Ingersoll, Cervivor Communications Director

November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to honor and support those tireless supporters who ensure their loved ones’ meals are prepared, appointments are kept, and hope stays alive. This year’s spotlight shines even brighter with Cancer Support Community’s CEO Sally Werner, RN, BSN, MSHA, declaring 2025 the “Year of the Caregiver.”

At Cervivor, we’re leaning into this moment with the launch of our new Cancer Caregiver Support Powered By Cervivor, Inc. Facebook group—a dedicated space for cancer caregiver connection, real talk about the hard days, and helpful resources to lighten the load. 

Cervivor’s Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder started the organization 20 years ago so no one affected by cervical cancer feels or fights alone—and that includes caregivers. “Caregivers need caregivers,” says Tamika, who became her father’s caregiver as a teenager before surviving cervical cancer herself. “We have to put our oxygen masks on first.”

The numbers make it clear why this focus on caregivers is so critical:

  • In the U.S., about 6 million adults provide unpaid care to someone with cancer, often while also holding full-time jobs to maintain income and insurance, according to a 2023 study from the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

  • On average, cancer caregivers devote 33 hours each week to care, with about one-third providing 41 hours or more—the equivalent of another full-time job, reports Healthline.

  • For those supporting loved ones with cervical or gynecologic cancers, the role often includes intimate tasks like post-surgical wound care, fertility navigation, and body-image support—alongside immense emotional labor.

Ultimately, supporting caregivers means strengthening survivors, families, and the fight to end cervical cancer—Cervivor’s mission. Read on for powerful stories from our community, insights from trusted partners, and resources to help care for cancer caregivers—this National Family Caregivers Month and every month.

Why Caregivers Need Support Now More Than Ever

The demands of caregiving run deep, touching every corner of daily life in ways that can feel both overwhelming yet profoundly meaningful. Cancer Support Community (CSC)’s Cancer Experience Registry shows the scope of caregiving: 77% handle medical care, 79% provide emotional support, 82% manage transportation, and many juggle household chores and finances. Yet only 16% receive formal training, leaving 58% feeling unprepared for emotional needs and 68% for their own stress.

The emotional toll hits hard: Balancing work, family, and constant worry fuels burnout, guilt, and isolation. For cervical cancer caregivers, added layers like fertility loss and intimacy challenges can strain confidence and connection. “Caregiving for cervical and gynecologic cancers can be especially complex,” says Kelly Hendershot, LGSW, LMSW, Vice President of Network & Healthcare Partnerships at CSC. “Caregivers aren’t just managing logistics—they’re helping loved ones navigate emotional and physical changes that affect identity, relationships, and self-esteem.”

Financially, it’s also a strain. Recent research shows that lower-income and working caregivers face steeper challenges—lost wages, job risks, and barriers to paid leave. In 2024 alone, CSC’s helpline fielded 1,100 calls on financial stressors like bills and insurance, notes Kelly. 

But there’s hope: Support systems exist—and they work. The right help at the right time can turn isolation into empowerment and exhaustion into resilience. Guides from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and American Cancer Society (ACS) highlight practical strategies like skills training for day-to-day tasks, open communication with care teams, and planned breaks to head off overload before it takes hold.

At CancerCare, Danielle Saff, Director of Social Work Programs, puts it plainly: “Our message to caregivers is simple: You are not alone, and your well-being matters.”

Kelly Hendershot of Cancer Support Community
Danielle Saff of CancerCare

To bring this research to life, we’re sharing the stories of two Cervivor community caregivers: Richie Simpson, who cared for his wife, Cervivor Ambassador Arlene Simpson, and Cervivor’s Program Coordinator Lauren Lastauskas, who not only survived cervical cancer herself but also cared for her mother, Donna, through ovarian cancer until her passing in 2022. Their journeys reveal both the hardships and the resilience at the heart of caregiving.

Richie’s Story: “Laugh More than You’re Sad”

Richie’s path as a caregiver began long before Arlene’s diagnosis. He first witnessed cancer’s toll when his mother faced breast cancer in 2001. Later, he supported Arlene’s mother during her illness and cared for his own mother through pancreatic cancer until her passing in early 2018. These experiences, he says, taught him to “learn how to do old things in new ways” and to endure with love even in devastating moments.

Arlene and Richie Simpson

When Arlene was diagnosed in 2021, Richie entered what he calls “the eye of the storm.” Caregiving meant everything from navigating private challenges like bladder and bowel struggles, to managing emotional highs and lows, to late-night “doomscrolling” in search of answers. His greatest fear was losing her, but humor kept them afloat: “Whatever it took to find a giggle, I’d do it.”

To avoid burnout, Richie set boundaries. He learned not to rely on empty promises of help, instead identifying true allies and specifying what kind of support was needed. As a couple, Richie and Arlene worked hard to remain partners, not just patient and caregiver. Their roles were fluid: Sometimes she cooked, other times he stepped in, cherishing the reward of her smile. After treatment, intimacy and identity required rebuilding. Richie reminded her that the woman she was post-cancer was not “less,” but stronger—and encouraged her to share her voice to inspire others.

Richie’s advice to other caregivers: Laughter is vital. Share calendars, plan ahead for high-need days, jot down questions for doctors, sit in silence when words fail, and “laugh more than you’re sad—you’re the uplifting light in their life.”

Lauren’s Story: A Legacy That Keeps Giving

Lauren’s caregiving story spans generations. At 23, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, with her mother Donna by her side for every appointment, surgery, and recovery milestone. Donna had long been the family’s caregiver—caring for her own mother through breast cancer recurrences and her sister through late-stage lung cancer.

Lauren Lastauskas with her mother, Donna, at her first ACS Relay For Life as a cancer survivor in 2016.

Years later, Lauren found herself caregiving in turn: First for her sister-in-law during breast cancer treatment in 2019, and then for her mother, who was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in late 2021. By Christmas that year, doctors gave her a prognosis of six to eight months.

Lauren became Donna’s healthcare power of attorney, managing treatments, coordinating hospice, and making painful decisions. She helped bathe her, administered medications, and even accompanied her to the funeral home to ensure her wishes were honored. Donna passed away at home on May 7, 2022, surrounded by family.

For Lauren, caregiving brought exhaustion, isolation, and moments of resentment—but also profound love. “Even after, I’m still her caregiver—just grieving, honoring her,” she shares.

Cervivor’s founder Tamika remembers Donna as one of the organization’s earliest champions: “She was passionate, opinionated, and determined to make things happen for this community. She fundraised in gymnasiums, made signs, and wasn’t afraid to tell me exactly what Cervivor needed. I think she would be so proud to see Lauren carrying the torch now.”

Today, Lauren sees caregiving as an extension of survivorship: “Strength isn’t pretending; it’s choosing love. You’re doing your best; that’s enough. Love is a daily choice.” 

How to Care for Caregivers—Starting Today

The research is clear, and so are the lived experiences of cancer caregivers of Richie and Lauren: This work takes an enormous toll. Many feel underprepared and undersupported. What they need most is not only recognition, but also practical, accessible tools to help them sustain both their loved ones and themselves.

Whether you’re caregiving, surviving, or supporting from afar, these trusted resources can help:

  • Cancer Support Community (CSC) offers free support groups, workshops, and the MyLifeLine app, which includes a Helping Calendar to simplify requests for rides, meals, childcare, pet care, and more. The app also provides a message forum for cancer caregivers and the option to create a private website to document your journey. CSC’s nationwide Helpline (888-793-9355) is always available. “Support groups were my lifeline,” says Kelly from CSC, who was a caregiver herself. She also reminds fellow caregivers: “Rest isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.”

  • CancerCare provides free virtual and in-person counseling, workshops, toolkits, publications, and My Cancer Circle, an online platform that helps families and friends coordinate care. Its HOPEline (800-813-HOPE) is available Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. “Caregiving is an act of love, but it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and isolating,” says CancerCare’s Danielle. “When you care for yourself, you’re better able to care for your loved one.”

  • American Cancer Society (ACS) offers practical tools for cancer caregivers like the Caregiver Resource Guide. Their 24-7 Helpline is 1-800-227-2345.

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a Support for Caregivers page and a downloadable Caring for the Caregiver booklet. NCI emphasizes practical skills for communication, stress management, and daily caregiving.

  • Family Caregiver Alliance and the Administration for Community Living (ACL)’s National Family Caregiver Support Program provide respite programs, caregiver training, and navigation for financial assistance.

Tamika emphasizes why National Family Caregivers Month truly matters: “When we support caregivers, we strengthen survivors, families, and outcomes. Behind every Cervivor is someone who shows up with love and strength.”

Richie adds that finding a community is essential: “Connecting makes all the difference. You realize you’re part of something bigger.”

Interested in joining Cervivor’s new cancer caregivers Facebook group? Fill out this form to connect with peers, share your story, and find resources that lighten the load.

About the Author

SARA LYLE-INGERSOLL is a seasoned content and communications expert dedicated to transforming lived experiences into impactful stories. Her award-winning magazine feature about a close friend who passed from cervical cancer in their twenties led her to connect with Cervivor’s founder, Tamika Felder, and solidified her commitment to cervical cancer awareness and prevention. Now, as Cervivor’s Communications Director, Sara brings this mission full circle.