Kenyans Urged To Undergo Cervical Cancer Screening
By John Kariuki
Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers among women in Kenya, it .contributes 5,250 (12.9%) of the new cancer cases annually and 3,286 (11.84%) of all cancer deaths annually.
Its prevention and control require a concerted effort to improve awareness among women regarding primary and secondary prevention strategies as well as access to care for treatment and palliation.
A focused strategy is important to reach the World Health Organization’s targets for cervical cancer elimination, due to be completed by 2030.
HPV is the primary cause of 99.7% of all cervical cancers and is sexually transmitted. Infection with one or more of the 15 high-risk oncogenic types usually results in invasive cervical cancer after 10-20 years.
Scaling up of cervical cancer prevention with inclusion of widespread HPV vaccination and primary HPV test should be the new standard of care.
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