Stakeholders in the health sector have expressed concern over the rising cases of cervical cancer in the country. This follows the record of World Health Organisation, WHO’s, which indicated that no fewer than 7,968 deaths occurred from the disease yearly.
The stakeholders stated that cervical cancer was the second most common cancer in Nigerian women, accounting for approximately 16 per cent of all female cancers.
The experts spoke at a vaccine awareness and uptake programme organised by Pathfinder, in partnership with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Nigeria Cancer Society, NCS, and Lagos State Primary Health Care Development Board, in Lagos.
Dr Adeniji Adebayo of the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, said Nigeria has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence in the world.
According to him, “it not only affects the physical health of women but also takes a toll on families and communities.”
Adebayo said: “Human Papillomavirus, HPV, is primarily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, usually through sexual activity. The virus infects the genital areas of both men and women and can also affect the mouth and throat. The most common mode of transmission is through sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The virus can be passed from one person to another even if there are no visible signs of infection or symptoms.”
Speaking, President of MWAN, Dr Funmi Ige, said the association was interested in the health of men and women, stressing that parents should encourage their children, particularly young girls between the ages of nine and 14, to get the vaccine.
“Nobody should peddle rumours that people would be killed through vaccination because it is false,” Ige said.