LAHORE: Cervical cancer is almost preventable and completely curable if caught at an early stage. There is even a precancerous stage that can be detected and treated before cancer forms.
Dr. Noreen Zafar, a specialist in adolescent gynecology and female cancer prevention, and chairperson of the Girls and Women’s Health Initiative (GWHI), said this in an interview with on Sunday.
Dr. Zafar highlighted the alarming statistics regarding cervical cancer in the country, with more than 68.6 million women at risk and more than 5,000 cases reported annually. Tragically, more than 3,000 women lose their lives to this disease every year, making it the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women of reproductive age in Pakistan.
The primary culprit in most cases of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), especially serotypes 16 and 18. Despite its prevalence, Dr. Zafar emphasized that most HPV infections resolve spontaneously, with less than 1 percent progressing to cancer. However, regular Pap smear screening, a practice widely used in developed countries, remains grossly underutilized in Pakistan, with an estimated uptake of only 2 percent.
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To bridge this gap Dr. Zafar emphasized the importance of HPV vaccination, which plays a key role in the prevention of cervical cancer. Despite two globally licensed HPV vaccines being available in Pakistan, awareness and uptake remain abysmal, with only 20 percent awareness and less than 10 percent among women of reproductive age.
One of the major barriers to HPV vaccination in Pakistan is affordability, which is compounded by the lack of a national vaccination program and a government-supported vaccine subsidy initiative. Dr. Zafar called for nationwide education programs targeting parents, caregivers, religious leaders and health care providers to destigmatize discussions about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination.
Dr. Zafar was inspired by successful vaccination campaigns against diseases such as typhoid and proposed incorporating HPV vaccination programs into school settings and community health facilities to reach a wider audience. She further emphasized the need to ensure the availability and affordability of HPV vaccines by importing cost-effective options from countries such as India and integrating them into the expanded immunization program.
In line with the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030, Dr. Zafar emphasized the collective responsibility of stakeholders to prioritize the availability, affordability and availability of HPV vaccines while promoting Pap smear screening.
As aptly concluded by Dr. Zafar, Cervical cancer is not only preventable but highly treatable if detected early with regular screening and preventative measures. Through concerted efforts and strategic interventions, Pakistan can pave the way for a future free of the burden of cervical cancer.
