Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has urged parents to take their girls aged 10 to 14 years for vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which cause cervical cancer.

She also told women to go for cervical cancer screening and treatment.  Speaking in Embu on Friday (above), she said that early detection was key in cancer treatment.

 “We are working towards vaccinating 90 per cent of girls from 10 to 14 years; screening of 70 per cent of women between 35 and 49 years, and treating 90 per cent of women identified with cervical cancer,” she said while launching the fifth Cervical Cancer Health Awareness Month.

She was joined by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire (above).  The World Health Organization targets to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. It proposes that 90 per cent of girls be fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by the age of 15.

Data from the ministry shows that four out of five people will have at least one type of HPV infection in their lifetime, since most infections do not openly present with symptoms. 

Cervical cancer screening, Nakhumicha pointed out, is offered for free in public health facilities.

“Go for cervical cancer screening at the nearest health facility,” she advised.

In collaboration with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the ministry has distributed over 800 thermoablation and 200 LEEP devices for treatment of cervical pre-cancerous lesions to Level 2 to Level 6 health facilities.

She said the ministry would review the services offered by NHIF to include screening, diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. Similar services available under NHIF include radiology — MRI, CT and PET scan. HPV is a sexually transmitted viral infection.  In women, it causes cervical cancer.