The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced it has joined a global consortium dedicated to accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer worldwide. The collaboration agreement with the Elimination Partnership in Cervical Cancer (EPICC) expands UT MD Anderson’s global oncology efforts, further strengthening its commitment to advancing cancer prevention and control in medically underserved regions.
The EPICC program, led by the University of Sydney in collaboration with a consortium of local and global partners, is funded by the Australian Government and the Minderoo Foundation. The initiative works to improve sustainable health outcomes and equity and to support national cervical cancer elimination strategies around the world. The program provides a mix of technical, policy and implementation support for vaccination, screening and treatment in more than nine countries.
“Joining EPICC reflects our deep commitment to advancing global cancer control and ensuring lifesaving prevention and treatment strategies reach the communities that need them most,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of UT MD Anderson. “Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer death for women in under-resourced settings. By working together with EPICC and our international collaborators, we can accelerate progress toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.”
Through its collaboration with EPICC, UT MD Anderson will contribute expertise in cervical cancer screening and treatment, research, workforce training, and health systems strengthening. These efforts will support countries in designing and executing national strategies for cervical cancer elimination — vaccination, screening and treatment. The collaboration also will enhance global opportunities for shared learning, innovation and coordinated action.
“Becoming a part of this consortium represents a powerful alignment of mission, proficiencies and global commitment,” said Kathleen Schmeler, M.D., associate vice president of Global Oncology and professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at UT MD Anderson. “By uniting EPICC’s world leading expertise in cervical cancer prevention and control with UT MD Anderson’s clinical and scientific excellence, we are well positioned to significantly amplify progress in our efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.”