IFCPC Presidents Address

Jean-Luc Mergui, MD
IFCPC President, 2023-2026

Dear colleagues,

The International Federation of Colposcopy is changing his name.

The IFCPC (International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy) was created in 1972 in Mar del Plata with the aim of associating all the national societies in charge of cervical pathology and prevention of cervical cancer, in order to promote its screening and prevention through the development of cytology and - in the event of positivity - the wider use of colposcopy.

For 50 years, scientific research and the discovery of the role of the human papilloma virus (HPV) in the genesis of cancer of the cervix and lower genital tract (cervix but also vagina, vulva and anus) have revolutionized the management of prevention:

• with the implementation of vaccines for girls and boys,
• the increasingly important development of molecular biology techniques (genotyping, RNA, CINTEC double immunostaining, methylation, the future role of AI etc.)

All these technological advances have changed the practice of screening, prevention and diagnostic methods which are today of interest for the entire lower genital tract.

Furthermore, many countries or regions do not yet have access to the use of colposcopy, sometimes for economic reasons or for territorial organization and may need support to prevent HPV related diseases and cancers.

The world congresses that we organize every 3 years does not only aim to prevent cervical cancer alone but propose also to present an optimal organization for the prevention of lesions induced by HPV (vaccination protocols, screening algorithms, management of multifocal lesions ...).

This is why the IFCPC Board of Directors suggested changing the initial name of the IFCPC: International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy.

Which now become after the the unanimous agreement of the extraordinary general assembly during a meeting of the national societies which was held on November 17 2024:

IFCPC:
International Federation for Cancer Prevention and Colposcopy

Terms that correspond more precisely to the content of our scientific meetings (Congresses and webinars).

Furthermore, the life of the federation continues dynamically with a webinar organized every 4 months: the next will be organized by the Mexican society in February 2025 on the theme: HPV and pregnancy. While waiting for the next 19th World Congress which will be held in Paris from June 4 to 6, 2026.

4 years ago now, the WHO launched its project to eradicate cervical cancer, with an ambitious proposal (90% vaccination at 15 years of age, 70% screening coverage and 90% management of precancerous lesions).

We will need everyone's energy to join our efforts with the IFCPC to improve our knowledge and fight effectively against HPV-induced cancers to reach together our goals and the WHO ambition.

Best regards

Jean-Luc Mergui