The month of January has been declared by the World Health Organization as cervical cancer awareness month.
This month, global healthcare importance is placed on raising awareness of cervical cancer.
Various international and local groups have joined together to raise awareness of cervical cancer through multiple campaigns and activities to emphasize the importance of early cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment, and preventive recommendations.
This year, the cervical cancer health awareness month theme is themed, ” Learn, Prevent, Screen“, which emphasizes the necessity of educating people with knowledge about finishing cervical cancer risks and the life-saving importance of regular screenings.
As per statistics from the World Health Organization, the global incidence of cervical cancer in 2020 was estimated to be 6,04,000 new cases and 3,42,000 deaths, making it the fourth most prominent cancer in women.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can affect the skin, genital area, and throat.
In preventing cervical cancer, A public health nurse at the EKMA health directorate, Charlotte Awuah, has advised women to get screened at least every 5–10 years, starting at age 30.