‘CERVICAL CANCER; AN URGENT CONCERN IN ZAMBIA’

By Scoop Reporter

The Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI) is sounding the alarm over the staggering burden of cervical cancer in Zambia, which now accounts for 23 percent of all new cancer cases in the country.

Globocan data reveals that Zambia faces the second highest burden of cervical cancer worldwide, with an incidence rate of 65.5 per 100,000 women and a mortality rate of 43.4 per 100,000 women as of 2020.

Despite being a preventable and treatable disease, cervical cancer represents a shocking 23 percent of new cancer cases in Zambia, primarily affecting women aged 40 to 49.

During a vital sensitization meeting at Chainda Catholic Church in Lusaka, AHETI Zambia Programmes Officer Felicity Mwila declared the pressing need to ramp up awareness initiatives among women.

“This is not just a statistic; cervical cancer is a pandemic in Zambia. We rank number two globally for its prevalence, underscoring the urgent necessity of these conversations. The positive aspect is that cervical cancer can indeed be eliminated,” she asserted.

Mwila stressed that immediate and coordinated action is essential to combat this health crisis. More women must undergo screening to save lives across the country.

She insisted that women take proactive steps by getting screened to detect cervical cancer early and initiate treatment for both cervical and breast cancer.

“Cervical cancer represents a significant health threat, and early detection through screening is imperative to improve treatment outcomes,” Ms. Mwila emphasized.

Moreover, she pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) firmly recommends screening for women aged 30 to 49, aiming for 70 percent coverage within this age group.

Ms. Mwila also highlighted that breast cancer is another critical health issue that demands attention, as early detection through routine screening and self-examination dramatically enhances treatment outcomes.