Human Papillomavirus Vaccine / photo Procare hospital
Cervical cancer continues to pose a serious threat to women
in Kenya, claiming thousands of lives every year, straining families and the
health system.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN),
approximately 5,845 Kenyan women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually,
while about 3,600 die from it, highlighting the urgent need for intensified
prevention and treatment efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cervical cancer
in Kenya is the leading cause of cancer‑related deaths among women and the
second most common cancer overall after breast cancer.
Cervical cancer is a malignant growth that develops in the
cervix and is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of
human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus.
According to WHO,
these persistent infections lead to abnormal cellular changes in the cervix. If
left untreated, such changes can progress slowly over 15 to 20 years from
precancerous lesions into invasive cancer.
Ms. Benda Kithaka, a health advocate, revealed that in Kenya
early vaccination is done to young girls before they become sexually active.
“WHO
recommends that young girls should be vaccinated by the age of 9-15 against the
human papillomavirus, but in Kenya we normally vaccinate girls around the age of
10 before they get sexually active,” she said.
Most women acquire HPV soon after becoming sexually active,
but in the majority, the immune system clears the virus naturally. When the
infection persists, however, precancerous changes can develop into cancer over
many years.
For women with weakened immune systems, such as those living with
untreated HIV, progression can occur more quickly, sometimes within five to ten
years.
HPV itself is a group of more than 200 related viruses
transmitted primarily through sexual contact or close skin-to-skin contact.
While most infections cause no symptoms and are naturally cleared within one to
two years, some high-risk types persist and trigger precancerous changes in the
cervix.
Persistent infection with these high-risk HPV types is the
principal cause of cervical cancer. Certain low-risk HPV types may cause
genital warts, which appear as small, sometimes itchy or painful bumps on the
genital or anal area.
Ms. Kithaka explained that cervical cancer is often silent
in its early stages, making early detection critical.
“As the disease
progresses, women may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding such as bleeding
after sexual intercourse, between periods, or after menopause unusual vaginal
discharge that may be bloody or foul-smelling, and pelvic pain or pain during
intercourse,” she said.
The National Cancer Institute of Kenya urges women to do regular
screening, such as HPV testing or Pap smears to allow detection of precancerous
lesions so they can be treated before developing into cancer
Other measures
that reduce risk include practicing safe sex, limiting the number of sexual
partners, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy immune system.
When detected early, cervical cancer is highly treatable.
Ms. Kithaka notes that treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy,
chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches, depending on the stage of
the disease and the patient’s health. Even cancers diagnosed at more advanced
stages can be managed effectively with appropriate care, including palliative
support.
WHO warns that since HPV infection itself cannot be cured, treatment
tends to focus on managing virus-related conditions and allowing the immune
system to clear the infection naturally.
January being World Cervical Cancer awareness month, parents and
guardians are urged to take their daughters aged 9–15 years for HPV vaccination
in accordance with WHO’s 90-70-90 strategic plan providing a clear roadmap of 90%
of girls fully vaccinated against HPV, 70% of women screened for cervical
cancer in their lifetime and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer
treated offering hope that fewer women will succumb to cervical cancer in the
coming days.