One of the most preventable cancers is still killing women across Africa.
Cervical cancer kills more women in Africa than almost any other cancer. Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the highest cervical cancer rates in the world, accounting for a disproportionate share of global deaths from this disease. Yet cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and, when caught early, most treatable cancers known to medicine. This tragic gap between what is possible and what is happening is a public health emergency.
The culprit behind almost all cervical cancers is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) — a common sexually transmitted infection that most sexually active people will encounter at some point in their lives. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself.
What Is HPV?
HPV is a group of over 200 related viruses, most of which are harmless. However, certain high-risk strains particularly HPV 16 and HPV 18 can cause cervical cancer if the infection persists and goes untreated. HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Condoms reduce but do not eliminate transmission. Many people with HPV have no symptoms and do not know they are infected.
Prevention: Vaccination
The HPV vaccine is one of the most important medical breakthroughs of recent decades. It is safe, highly effective, and ideally given before a person becomes sexually active, typically between ages 9 and 14. Many African countries have now introduced HPV vaccination into their national immunisation programmes, including Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
If you have a daughter, please make sure she receives the HPV vaccine. If you are an adult woman who missed vaccination, speak to your doctor the vaccine may still offer some benefit up to age 45.
Early Detection: Pap Smears and VIA
Cervical cancer does not develop overnight. There is typically a long precancerous stage that can be detected and treated before it becomes cancer. A Pap smear (or Pap test) is a simple procedure done in a clinic, where cells are taken from the cervix and examined under a microscope. Women should begin Pap smears at age 25 (or within three years of becoming sexually active) and repeat every three to five years.
In settings where Pap smears are not available, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) is a low-cost, effective alternative widely available across Africa. A healthcare provider applies diluted vinegar to the cervix and looks for abnormal changes visible to the naked eye.
Breaking the Stigma
Cervical cancer is not a punishment. HPV is not a mark of immorality. It is a common virus, and protecting yourself against it is simply responsible healthcare. Unfortunately, stigma surrounding sexual health prevents many African women from getting screened or vaccinated. We must change this narrative in our families, our communities, and our places of worship.
Schedule your screening. Vaccinate your children. And tell every woman you love to do the same.