Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is observed every January. For WHO and its partners, it is a great chance to spread the word about HPV vaccine and cervical cancer.
This month’s theme is “Accelerating Access for Elimination: Towards WHO 90-70-90 by 2030.”
“This January, we will highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease and the importance of screening and early diagnosis,” said MOH.
The 90-70-90 is:
Vaccination: 90% of girls are fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15;
Screening: 70% of women screened using a high-performance test by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45;
Treatment: 90% of women with pre-cancer treatment and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed.
As long as it is identified early and carefully handled, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable types of cancer when it is diagnosed.
With the right medical care and palliative care, cancers that have already advanced to advanced stages can also be controlled. Within a few generations, cervical cancer as a public health issue can be eliminated with a comprehensive strategy to prevention, screening, and treatment.
The world is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and significant delays to crucial health services continue, making October Cervical Cancer Awareness Month particularly poignant.
In order to improve access to HPV vaccination, screening, treatment for cervical pre-cancer, and management of cervical cancer by 2030 and end cervical cancer within a few generations, we have been urged to work together throughout this month and beyond.
