KARACHI:
Cervical cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix. Almost all cervical cancers are linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can be prevented with vaccination. It is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths in 2020. The disease is more prevalent in low and middle-income countries due to poor healthcare awareness and limited access to vaccinations.
Some healthcare professionals have suggested that HPV vaccination should be included in the country’s national immunisation programme to ensure that girls of recommended age i.e., 9-14 years get vaccinated. However, others say it is important to evaluate the economic costs of this intervention. Periodical screening is recommended starting from the age of 30. Cervical cancer can be cured if it is diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. Globally, different companies are working on technological advancements to make screening and prevention affordable for low-resource settings. The healthcare department should also investigate ways to increase cervical cancer screening uptake. Self-sampling is one method, which is both convenient and ensures privacy.
Considering that January is cervical cancer awareness month, healthcare authorities should take this as an opportunity to raise awareness about this vaccine-preventable cancer. We need to break barriers and destigmatise issues related to women’s health and well-being to save thousands of women from illness and death.
Mariam Khan
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2023.
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