No woman should die from cervical cancer since it is a preventable disease. Cervical cancer is preventable. It’s time to end cervical cancer!
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the Caribbean. Its primary cause is infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). The HPV vaccine and the screening and treatment of precancerous lesions can prevent cervical cancer.
The World Health Organization announced in 2018 a global call to action towards the elimination of cervical cancer for all stakeholders to unite on this goal. To this end, a Draft Global Strategy towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem, was developed which has 3 three main pillars: prevent, screen and treat. Every country must reach the following global targets by 2030:
- 90% coverage of HPV Vaccination of girls (by 15 years of age);
- 70% coverage of screening and 90% treatment of precancerous lesions;
- Management of 90% of invasive cancer cases.
Learn about the HPV vaccine and Pap smear screening tests to prevent cervical cancer. Protect your daughters, sisters, mothers, and nieces! Protect women and mobilize your community against cervical cancer! Remember:
- The vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is effective and safe. It protects against infection with HPV, which causes cervical cancer.
- All adult women should undergo periodic cervical cancer screening via a Pap smear test to detect lesions in the cervix that, if left untreated, can develop into cervical cancer. Pap smear tests are available free of charge in all health centres in Trinidad and Tobago. Contact your local health centre for more details.
- Cervical cancer can be treated effectively if detected early.
REFERENCES
World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/cervical-cancer#tab=tab_2
Pan American Health Organization. https://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14299:fin-cancer-cervical&Itemid=72265&lang=en
