Comprehensive cervical cancer services to be offered in public health system – Health Minister

Within this year, the Health Ministry will move to broaden the services for treatment and early detection of cervical cancer in the public health system, eliminating the burden patients face in using the private system.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony indicated on Friday that among women, breast cancer was still the most prevalent, followed by cervical cancer; while in men, it was prostate cancer. Dr Anthony outlined that the Ministry has been rolling out a comprehensive programme to tackle cervical cancer, since it is preventable.
While primary prevention will focus on vaccination, the secondary measures will involve screening for women aged 30 and older. At the tertiary stage, the Ministry is planning to ensure that radiation and chemotherapy are readily available. The Ministry is also working to fast-track surgeries for patients.

“This year, we will have rigid focus on cervical cancer and the reasons why we’re doing that is because cervical cancer is actually preventable. Cervical cancers are caused by a virus and it’s called the human papilloma virus (HPV) and if we prevent women from being infected, then we can prevent cervical cancer,”
Molecular tests for the detection of HPV, which is currently only offered in the private healthcare system, will soon be introduced in the public system.
“I think it’s a little bit costly for most women to afford so we’re working on making sure we offer that test as well in the public sector. For those women who develop cancer, we want to enhance getting surgeries for them faster. In some cases, they will need chemotherapy or radiotherapy … [we want] to make sure that they can have access to these things. When we think about cervical cancer, we want to offer a comprehensive programme.
The regional hospitals and some selected health centres have the resources to conduct visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), pap smears and other cancer-related tests. In Budget 2022, funds have been allocated for a massive programme to administer HPV vaccines to girls between nine and 14 years of age.
It also makes provision for a Prostate Specific Antigen machine for early screening of prostate cancer for the male population.
Speaking on COVID and cancer, it was pointed out that vaccination becomes critical since comorbid patients stand higher risks of being severely infected.
“Despite having cancer, you need to go get vaccinated. Cancer is not an excuse for not getting vaccinated and the only time you need to reconsider is perhaps if your physician or the doctor that is treating you says that you should not get the vaccine. They may have a reason why…In some cases, if a person’s immune system is depressed, most of the recommendations is not just for two doses but an additional dose. If there is any doubt with any of our cancer patients, then they should consult with their physicians and get the guidance that they need so that they can get vaccinated as quickly and as early as possible.”