Ten Kenyan women die of cervical cancer every day, yet the cancer burden can be reduced through early diagnosis ,screening and ensuring that all girls between ages 10 to 14 years get Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination,experts says.
According to Dr Jean-Paula Bor, Head National Cancer Control Program, there is a need to ramp up campaign to promote awareness of cervical cancer screening and need to have girls aged 10 to 14 years take Human Papiloma Virus (HPv) vaccine since Kenya ranks among the top 20 countries globally with the highest burden of cervical cancer.
In Kenya around 5,845 new Cervical cancer cases are reported annually and 3,591 deaths each year according to Globocan data.
She said that Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with one or more of the high risk-types of the Human Papilloma Virus and it is more prevalent among women living with HIV.
“There is a need for regular screening for early detection so that one can start treatment at the earliest stage in case one is diagnosed with cancer as Cervical Cancer is treatable and preventable. Every girl below 15 years should be taken for vaccination while women between 25-49 years should go for screening,” said Dr Bor.
Dr Bor emphasized that Cervical cancer is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it continues to affect many women around the world, including Kenya, despite advancements in medicine and availability of vaccines.
“For many women, cervical cancer remains a serious threat due to lack of information or access to necessary care,” she explained.
Dr Bor asked Women to visit health facilities for regular screening for cervical cancer to ensure early detection.
“January being Cervical Cancer Awareness month, MoH encourage different stakeholders to do more public awareness campaigns and ensure that the information reaches a wider audience.”
She asked parents to have their daughters vaccinated against the Cervical cancer.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer, has been shown to significantly reduce incidents of the disease.
Early detection through cervical screening allows for the identification and treatment of precancerous lesions before they develop into full-blown cancer.
According to Rose Jalango, Head of National Vaccine and Immunization Program at MoH,HPV vaccines are safe and effective and the media have a role to disseminate correct information and debunking myths that would make the public understand the HPV vaccine and its safety.
“HPV vaccines are safe and effective and available at all public health facilities offered at no cost, MoH encourage girls below 15 years to take HPV vaccine,”
Profesor Fred Were Chief Executive Director Kenya Paedriatics Research Consortium,said that HPV vaccine have been tested and it is safe and effective and every woman who is alive and have a cervix should be vaccinated.
“MoH is urging all women who has ever had sexual intercourse to be screened.Those in ages 25 to 49 years should screen and incase they are diagnosed with cervical case timely treatment should be innitiated preferably on a single visit or refered promptly so that we ultimately eliminate cervical cancer,” Bor.
Bor noted that 80 percent, or 4 out of 5 people will have at least one type of HPV infection during their lifetime and most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, so most people never know they are infected.
According to Ministry of Health, only 48 percent of all eligible women aged between 25 and 49 have been screened for cervical cancer at some point in their lives, despite 75 percent being aware of the need for screening.
In 2019,the Ministry of Health introduced the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which the World Health Organization (WHO) says cause at least 70 percent of cervical cancer.
