Why cervical cancer rates are climbing — Experts

Senior Doctors have explained why an increasing number of Nigerian women are being diagnosed with cervical cancer, connecting it to the effe...

SeniorDoctors have explained why an increasing number of Nigerian women are being diagnosed with cervical cancer, connecting it to the effects of years without vaccination.

In addition to the years of not being vaccinated, they also noted low participation in screenings among women, delayed diagnosis, and limited knowledge among those responsible for the increasing number of cervical cancer cases in the country.

As per specialists, restricted availability of screening, low rates of human papillomavirus vaccination, and ongoing social and cultural obstacles are key reasons contributing to the rising number of diagnoses throughout the nation.

Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women, resulting in the deaths of 350,000 females in 2022, as reported by the World Health Organisation.

It results from the Human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection that impacts the skin, genital region, and mouth.

The World Health Organization states that long-term HPV infection of the cervix, which is the lower portion of the uterus or womb that connects to the vagina, leads to 95 percent of cervical cancer cases when not treated.

The United Nations stated that cervical cancer ranks as the third most prevalent cancer in Nigeria and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44.

In 2020, Nigeria reported 12,000 new instances and 8,000 fatalities related to cervical cancer.

Nevertheless, in an exclusive conversation with PUNCH Healthwise on the occasion of the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, the specialists also highlighted that early sexual activity and having multiple sexual partners are risk factors for cervical cancer.

They observed that while cervical cancer is among the most preventable types of cancer worldwide, many women tend to visit a doctor only after the condition has advanced, which lowers their survival rates and raises expenses for their families.

A professor specializing in Radiation Medicine at the University of Nigeria, located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Ifeoma Okoye, stated that although Nigeria has recently prioritized cervical cancer on the national agenda, the increasing number of cases is directly due to actions that were not taken in the past.

Okoye, who also serves as the Director of the UNN Centre of Excellence for Clinical Trials, mentioned that the women receiving diagnoses belong to the group that did not receive the vaccine during their younger years.

As she explained, the women currently visiting our clinics in their 30s, 40s, and 50s were not vaccinated against HPV during their childhood.

Their present illness is due to infections they contracted 10, 20, or even 25 years ago. The current vaccination campaign will safeguard the younger generation; it won't quickly alleviate the impact on women who were exposed prior to the program's start.

"Screening is still not reaching women in the quantity or frequency that we require. Even in areas where awareness has increased, financial limitations, fear of a cancer diagnosis, social stigma associated with gynecological exams, and other obligations that take up women's time all cause screening to be overlooked," the expert stated.

As she explained, the illness develops subtly, and by the time many women seek help, we are already confronting an advanced stage of the disease.

"Nigeria has taken significant national steps regarding cervical cancer—particularly in terms of HPV vaccination and political support—but the recent increase in cases is due to a long-standing absence of vaccination, insufficient and inconsistent screening access, and ongoing delayed presentation," Okoye stated.

Nevertheless, she pointed out that the effect of the new investments will be most apparent in the next generation of women provided that the current efforts are continued and expanded.

"The national HPV vaccination program was launched in October 2023, focusing on girls aged 9 to 14. This is promising for the future, but it doesn't affect the past exposure of women who are already adults. Their current cancers stem from years of uncontrolled HPV spread and limited screening," the professor stated.

Okoye stated that the HPV vaccine and screening continue to be a powerful tool in reducing the impact of cervical cancer within the nation.

Over 14 million girls have already received the vaccine in 2024, and national initiatives are on track to vaccinate approximately 16 to 17 million girls by 2025. Nigeria is creating a protected group that is expected to result in significantly reduced cervical cancer rates as they age. Herd immunity will take effect.

If this is paired with affordable, easy-to-access screening and timely treatment for adult women, we can start to reduce not only the rate of new cases, but also the heartbreaking deaths that occur at advanced stages.

Additionally, Prof Christopher Aimakhu, the Second Vice President of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, pointed out that early sexual engagement and having multiple sexual partners increase the risk of cervical cancer in women.

A specialist in women's reproductive health also disclosed that the age at which individuals first engage in sexual activity in Nigeria has changed.

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer affecting the female genital area. Women often seek treatment at a late stage, when the illness has already progressed. This is why it appears that women are succumbing to the disease at a younger age.

"Another point is that the age at which people first have sex has decreased. In recent years, women have been engaging in sexual activity for the first time at the ages of 12 or 13. Furthermore, many of them have multiple sexual partners. HPV is a viral infection that spreads through sexual contact. Therefore, young women who have more sexual partners are exposed to this virus at an earlier age," the expert said.

He stated that women in their 20s are currently being diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Previously, we used to say that cervical cancer occurred around the ages of 40 to 45. Now, we are observing women diagnosed with cervical cancer as young as 28 or 29. I have treated patients who were 28 or 29 years old and had cervical cancer.

"That wasn't the situation previously. We are aware that there is a pre-cancerous phase that develops over time before it becomes noticeable. Therefore, it indicates that many of these young women are engaging in sexual activity at an early age," Aimakhu stated.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).