On June 12 and 13, 2025, the Chair of Epidemiology will host an international symposium at the TUM Academy Center Raitenhaslach. Under the title “Tackling Inequalities in Cervical Cancer Prevention Globally,” the program will focus on existing disparities in the global prevention of cervical cancer.

Professor Dr. Stefanie Klug, Chair of Epidemiology, is leading the conference: “More than 600,000 women worldwide are still diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. In Germany alone, nearly 5,000 women are affected annually. Practically all of these invasive cancers could be prevented through effective preventive measures.”

With this, the upcoming symposium continues the thematic tradition of previous events organized by the Chair of Epidemiology. Christine Deckart, research associate and co-organizer, explains:
“In 2022, our focus was also on cervical cancer, but with an emphasis on prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. This time, we are specifically addressing inequalities in a global context.”

Although effective prevention methods such as HPV vaccination and regular screenings are available, there are still major disparities in access to care around the world – particularly in low-income regions (e.g., sub-Saharan Africa, South America), but also within affluent societies (e.g., Europe, North America). This is exactly where the symposium comes in: experts in public health, epidemiology, medicine, health policy, and community health will come together to discuss solutions for greater equity in prevention.

Deckart emphasizes: “What’s special is that we are bringing together experts from nearly every continent and from international public health institutions. Among those represented are Africa, Latin America, the USA, and Europe. The researchers will present existing screening systems or discuss how such systems could be established in other settings.” The interdisciplinary exchange is intended to generate concrete approaches and strategies for sustainable, equitable prevention.

The two-day program will open with a keynote by Dr. Maribel Almonte Pacheco on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cervical cancer screening strategy. The first session will focus on older women, with contributions on HPV persistence (Dr. Patti Gravitt) and the debate surrounding screening in older age (Prof. Dr. Anne Fortino Rositch). The next session will explore population-based offerings and new technologies, featuring speakers such as Dr. Nicolas Wentzensen and Dr. Matejka Rebolj.

According to Deckart, program highlights include the panel discussions “What is the ideal cervical cancer screening setting for older women?” and “Is there an ideal screening setting in the low-resource context?” These discussions will conclude each day and offer space for intensive dialogue among all experts.

On the second day, the spotlight will be on challenges faced by low-resource countries. A keynote by Prof. Dr. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana will provide insights into the situation in sub-Saharan Africa. This will be followed by practical presentations – such as on implementing screening programs in challenging contexts (Prof. Dr. Heather Cubie) and on implementation research (Prof. Dr. Valerie A. Paz-Soldan).

The Chair of Epidemiology hopes that the symposium will foster both networking and the initiation of future project collaborations:
“The goal is for experts to exchange ideas on new methods and findings while also networking to shape joint projects in the future – on a global scale.”

Registration for virtual, free participation via Zoom is still open. Interested parties are asked to fill out the following form and send it by email to symp25.epidemiologie(at)mh.tum.de. A Zoom link will be sent to you by email afterward.
 

Link to the Chair of Epidemiology website

To the program of the symposium

 

Contact:

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefanie J. Klug, MPH
Ordinaria
Chair of Epidemiology
Am Olympiacampus 11
D-80809 München
Tel.: 089 289 24951
e-mail: stefanie.klug(at)tum.de
 

Christine Deckart
Chair of Epidemiology
Am Olympiacampus 11
D-80809 München

e-mail: christine.deckart(at)tum.de

Text: Jasmin Schol
Photos: Private