Cervical cancer claims lives of over 3,000 Pakistani women annually

Over 5,000 women in the country are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, with more than 3,000 succumbing to the disease, according to medical experts.

The figures were revealed in a meeting of the HPV technical working group (HPV-TWG), hosted by the Extended Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Sindh.

During the meeting, experts stressed boosting awareness and access to information and services, including vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer.

The participants were informed that cervical cancer ranked as the third most frequent cancer among women in Pakistan and the second most frequent cancer among women aged between 15 and 44.

At least 68.6 million in Pakistan were aged 15 years or older and were at risk of developing cervical cancer.

According to statistics, at least 5,008 women were diagnosed with cancer annually of which 3,197 died from the disease in the country.

However, the experts termed prophylactic vaccination, screening, and treatment of pre-cancer lesions as effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer. 

Senior gynecologist Dr Sadiah Ahsan Pal shared the importance of medicine and also elaborated on the important features of the upcoming human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine launch.

However, Sindh was the first province to initiate programmes against the disease.

“Sindh EPI will develop a comprehensive plan and communication strategy to ensure the proper rollout of the HPV vaccine, which would target both the school-going and out-of-school children,” Project director EPI said.