Globally, every two minutes one woman dies of cervical cancer—totaling over 300,000 preventable deaths per year. Of which, women in developing countries bear the brunt of this disease and over 90 % of related deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women around the world with an estimated 604 000 new cases and 342 000 deaths in 2020.
The most saddening reality is that cervical cancer though is one of the preventable and treatable diseases that can be eliminated by increasing access to vaccination and getting screened to detect precancerous lesions, it remains one of public health challenges in many parts of the world.
Predominantly, the incidence and mortality of the disease remain higher in developing countries. Hundreds of thousands of young women are still losing their lives and it continues to show a high burden among young women worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
According to global estimates of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in 2020: a baseline analysis of the WHO Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, in 2020, there were an estimated 604 127 cervical cancer cases and 341 831 deaths globally, with a corresponding age-standardized incidence of 13•3 cases per 100 000 women-years (95 % and mortality rate of 7•2 deaths per 100 000 women-years.
Understanding the severity of the case and to raise the awareness of the public towards the disease thereby to eliminate cervical cancer through concerted efforts of all, January is dedicated as a month of Cervical Screening Awareness Month.
Throughout this month, awareness raising activities will be carried out through various outlets with regard to the importance of getting vaccinated and taking cervical cancer screenings that are important to identify abnormalities in the cells of the cervix at an early stage.
Ethiopia, as one of the countries with a large number of its young women are affected by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) -the most common type of virus that is responsible for cervical cancer-, marks the month of January with a special focus to raise the awareness of the general public, including women, about cervical cancer and inoculation.
According to documents, cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most deadly disease among women between 15 and 44 years of age in Ethiopia. The incidence and prevalence of the disease is increasing from time to time because of the growth and aging of the population, as well as an increasing prevalence of well-established risk factors.
Taking the devastating health, social, economic and psychological impacts of cervical cancer into consideration and speeding up the elimination of the case in the coming decades through sensitizing the public, the Ministry of Health is undertaking various activities to inform the community and eliminate the diseases. As part of this effort, it developed the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Guideline and introduced the country’s first national cancer control strategy.
Not only that, it has also been scaling up cervical cancer prevention services through immunizing young women and students aged between 15 and 44, and providing cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment services. Currently, it has finalized preparation to immunize school girls and women across the country.
Recently, in relation to the International Month of Cervical Health Awareness, the Ministry had organized awareness raising training for media professionals and communicators at Bishoftu Town.
In her research paper presented at the training under the title ‘National Cervical Cancer Program Overview’, Cervical Cancer Coordinator for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management with the Ministry of Health Takelech Moges said that cervical cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 23 countries and it is the leading cause of death in 36 countries including the Sub Saharan Africa, Melanesia, and South America and among others Unfortunately, nearly 90 % of deaths occurring in low and middle income countries, she said referring to documents.
The case is becoming more pressing, she said, underlining the significance of implementing programmatic interventions over the life course such as screening, treatment and palliative care, to prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer and lessen the burden among young women.
According to her, these days a number of public and private health institutions are providing the screening services. However, due to various reasons including lack of awareness about cervical cancer, cultural restriction and embarrassment, lack of interest to be treated by male professionals, unsatisfactory support or hesitancy from male partner and being fully engaged in other house chores, as well as the nature of the disease, many women are not willing to utilize the screening services. Owing to these and other aggravating conditions, cervical cancer is becoming more prevalent and causing preventable deaths.
To alleviate such challenges and eliminate cervical cancer thereby save the lives of young women, comprehensive and concerted works should be carried out at national level. Equally important, strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders and pertinent bodies and providing effective, uninterrupted services is central. Governmental and nongovernmental organizations, religious institutions, community leaders and the general public should join hands with health professionals and exert utmost energy to make the effort a success, she remarked.
“We cannot solve the problem of cervical cancer just by marking the day and talking about it once in a year. Instead, we have to carry out uninterrupted, intensive works. In this regard, the role the media can play by educating the public about the seriousness of the issue and the social, economic, health and psychological impacts it causes on women, their respective family and the country. If we cooperate and work together, we can bring the desired outcome,” she said.
Disease Prevention and Control Lead Executive Office Cervical Cancer Coordinator Officer with the Ministry Bisrat Fantaye also emphasized the irreplaceable role of the media to improve the health behavior of the community.
Media has exceptional roles in educating the public, promoting healthier lifestyles and building healthy communities. Cervical cancer is one health challenge around the world and the rate of the case in East Africa is high. Thus, to keep Ethiopia on the right path and to eliminate the disease so to save the lives of women making aware the public about the extent of the problem is critical. In this regard, the active involvement of the media, in terms of educating and increasing awareness among the community is fundamental, he said.
This year, 2024, the Cervical Health Awareness Month theme is “Learn. Prevent. Screen”. The theme emphasizes the necessity of educating people with knowledge about minimizing cervical cancer risks and the life-saving importance of regular screenings, it was learnt.
BY ELIZABRTH MENGISTU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024
