Health sector stakeholders have expressed concern over the increased incidence of cervical cancer in the nation, stating that the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that Nigeria has at least 7,968 cervical cancer-related fatalities annually. They stated that cervical cancer accounted for about 16 percent of all female cancers and was the second most frequent malignancy among Nigerian women.
The experts gave a talk during a vaccination awareness and uptake event held in Lagos by Pathfinder, in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Development Board, MWAN, Nigeria Cancer Society, and Medical Women Association of Nigeria. Nigeria has one of the highest occurrence rates of cervical cancer worldwide, according to Dr. Adeniji Adebayo, a specialist at the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board.
He claims that it has a negative impact on women’s physical health in addition to having negative effects on families and communities. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is mainly spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, which typically occurs during sexual activity, according to Adebayo.
The virus can infect the lips, throat, and genital regions in both men and women. Sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex, is the most frequent way for the virus to spread. Even in the absence of any outward symptoms or indicators of illness, the virus can spread from one person to another.
“Vaccination is the best and most efficient method of preventing HPV infections. There are vaccines available to protect against the high-risk and most prevalent HPV strains that cause genital warts and cancer. Preteens and young adults are usually advised to get the vaccine, ideally before they start engaging in sexual activity. In order to prevent viral transmission, Nigeria intends to include the single dose HPV vaccine (Gardasil) in the regular immunisation schedule this year.
Speaking, Dr. Funmi Ige, President of MWAN, emphasised that parents should encourage their children, especially young girls between the ages of nine and fourteen, to obtain the vaccine. The association is concerned about the health of both men and women.
It is untrue, thus no one should spread the myth that vaccinations would kill people. Since getting vaccinated is in everyone’s best interests, we want to spread this message everywhere and encourage people to do so at the local level, added Ige. “This project is to enhance HPV vaccine awareness and uptake in Nigeria,” stated Mr. Bayo Ewuola, Pathfinder’s Media and Communications Officer.
Cervical cancer is more easily prevented because treatment costs are very high. Because of this, we are working with stakeholders to raise awareness across the nation, especially in Lagos State, where a small percentage of the population has had the vaccine. We are in the preventive phase; treatment and cure are two separate things.
