Every year it affects over 50,000 women, proving fatal for 25,000 of these. In the UK alone around 11,900 women live with the disease.
There are a number of simple screening tests that can identify the disease in its early stages and prevent it from developing. This means the cancer could be virtually eliminated through organised prevention programmes.
However, despite Britain currently having effective screening in place, the majority of women in Europe have no access to any help like this.
Although there is a Pap smear available it is costly and is not offered to all women - only those who can afford it are able to receive the treatment.
The European Cervical Cancer Association (ECCA) has now launched an E-campaign to fight for more effective treatments across the continent.
The campaign, called 'Stop Cervical Cancer', will culminate in European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, beginning on the 20th January next year.
A petition is being organised by the ECCA, who are aiming to get one million signatures in order to raise the issue with the European Parliament.
Thankfully there is some progress being made. A vaccination against the HPV virus, which causes 80% of cervical cancer, has been added to the agenda of many health ministries across Europe. However, most countries still lack any simple screening programmes.
To sign the petition to take the campaign to the European Parliament click here.
Female First - Jacqueline Farrer
Tagged in cervical cancer