Cervical Cancer Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths in Ethiopia: Microbiologist

Addis Ababa October 15/2018 Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Ethiopia, a microbiologist from Mekele University said. Speaking at a workshop on Cervical Cancer that opened here today, Tewolde Tesfaye, Assistant Professor of Medical Microbiology at Mekele University said the deaths among the women were due to high prevalence of high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). According to him, the virus contributes for almost 95 percent of cervical cancer, and 90 percent of the death caused by cervical cancer occurs in least and middle income countries. Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among the entire female population with high annual morbidity (7,095) and mortality (4,732) rates, Tewolde added. The availability of HPV vaccines helps to reduce cervical cancer deaths, he noted. Pointing out the challenges in the fight against the disease, Tewolde stated that lack of equitable access to the vaccine, high vaccine cost, inadequate delivery, lack of community engagement to generate awareness, absence of skilled manpower, and lack of effective screening programs are among them. The obstetrician-gynecologist from University of Illinois, Chicago, Dr. Erin Cavanaugh also presented her study which identified that cervical cancer screening among women in Tigray, Ethiopia, is low. She suggested that expanding health education about cervical cancer may increase uptake of available screening programs. Dr. Cavanaugh said effective method of education may include television campaign and expansion of health extension work outreach programs, and specific target areas and communities with very limited access to formal education. National Cancer Control and Prevention Consultant at Ministry of Health, Dr. Kunuz Abdella said the ministry will start a program to screen cervical cancer and give medical treatment to reduce the infection. The ministry will also strengthen awareness programs to the public and begin HPV vaccination program, especially for girls, at national level soon.