As part of efforts to raise awareness about cervical cancer, Albania is intensifying its actions to eliminate this preventable disease through public education campaigns and by expanding access to screening and vaccination. Activities during the awareness month have focused on encouraging regular check-ups and screening for women in high-risk age groups, aligned with global targets for the elimination of cervical cancer.
To support these efforts, Albanian health institutions have launched informative campaigns and awareness-raising activities through social media, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and key prevention measures such as HPV vaccination, screening, and early treatment.
According to the latest data from the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (December 2024), around 9,850 women were tested over the past year. The analysis revealed significant regional disparities, underscoring the need to expand screening coverage to additional age groups and strengthen the capacities of healthcare professionals.
The short-term objectives of the national screening programme include:
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Increasing HPV testing coverage among women aged 40–50;
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Ensuring follow-up of positive cases through specialized consultations;
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Updating national protocols and evaluating the experiences of women who have been tested.
In line with the WHO global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, Albania must align and accelerate its efforts to achieve the following targets:
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90% HPV vaccination coverage for girls up to age 15;
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70% screening coverage of women in the nationally defined target group using high-performance HPV tests;
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90% treatment of precancerous lesions;
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90% management of invasive cervical cancer cases.
UNFPA Albania and national health institutions, in support of and in line with the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme, call on all women aged 40–50 to undergo HPV screening at their nearest health center and, if results are positive, to seek follow-up care with a specialized obstetrician-gynecologist.
