Lusiana Divokitira 
[Photo: MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES/ FACEBOOK]
Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, screening is being strongly encouraged for women aged 30 to 59 as part of efforts to prevent and detect cervical cancer early.
The Head of Family Health Unit, Dr Rachel Pillay, says HPV is common and often has no symptoms, meaning women may not know that they have the virus.
Women in this age group are being urged to make use of available HPV screening services, even if they feel healthy.
Regular screening can detect HPV before it causes serious health problems.
“I encourage every woman out there between the ages of 30 to 59 to turn up. If there’s a screening site close to you, turn up to these sites, get the screening done. Know your status, know your HPV status, because being HPV positive doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer.”
Pillay says HPV can cause changes that may lead to cervical cancer if they are not detected and managed early.
She is also calling on families, particularly men, to encourage women and girls in the eligible age group to get screened.
“I really encourage every woman out there to have this screening done, and also I encourage men, husbands, uncles, dads, to encourage their children, their daughters, between the ages of 30 to 59 to go get screening.”
Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa says women should speak with health workers at their local health centres to learn more about the screening initiative.
“We encourage young girls and women to visit their local health centre, speak with nursing staff, and learn more about this new Ministry initiative.”
The Ministry says early detection gives women a better chance of receiving timely care and preventing HPV-related changes from progressing to cervical cancer.
