How Nigeria Can Tackle Cervical Cancer That Kills 8,000 Women Annually
Every year, 8,000 women die in Nigeria from the silent killer called cervical cancer, according to the World Health Organization. With 12,000 cases annually, the disease is the third most common cancer amongst Nigerian women between the ages of 15-44 years old. The high number of women affected by this issue might lead some to believe there’s no solution, leaving them at the mercy of its harsh consequences with only luck on their side. However, this defeatist attitude is not only untrue but also a troubling misconception held by many Nigerians.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the virus that infects cervical cells. If not treated in a timely manner, it can turn these cells into cancer cells. While the vaccine has been available since 2006, making it 18 years as of 2024, the lack of accessibility in Nigeria has been a major hurdle. Previously, the vaccine was offered at a cost, limiting access for many families including low to middle income households.
Thankfully, in October 2023, Gavi, a body which includes country governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, civil society and other key partners decided to change that. They embarked on a project to introduce the HPV vaccine into the immunisation routine schedule of some African countries, one of which is Nigeria.
The Chief Programme Strategy Officer at Gavi, while addressing the challenge in April 2023 said “…there are still millions of young girls who are at risk of contracting cervical cancer, a life-threatening yet vaccine-preventable disease that disproportionately kills women in lower- and middle-income countries.”
By procuring nearly 15 million HPV vaccines on behalf of the Nigerian government, Gavi and UNICEF aims to immunise 7.7 million girls. So far, over 35,000 health workers have been trained in preparation for the campaign and delivery of the vaccines in all health facilities.
A vaccine, although a good start, should not be the end of the road for Nigeria and its fight against cervical cancer. It is just the beginning. Nigeria should seek to emulate Rwanda who integrated their HPV vaccine programmes with other initiatives such as education on the prevention and screening processes, in addition to social- economic empowerment. By following this model, Africa’s most populous nation can make immense strides in eradicating cervical cancer.
There have been challenges encountered in tackling HPV in Nigeria. One issue that may arise on this journey however, is the role of cultural norms and beliefs. Many Nigerians view the screening process of the disease as a cultural taboo due to the procedure which involves collecting cells from the woman’s cervix. This test is called a ‘pap smear’ and can give the female a greater chance at a cure as it detects changes in the cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future. This is one of many misconceptions proper education can help align.
Personally, I am a result of such education. I remember vividly, at age 14, my secondary school had sent official letters and mails to parents on the availability of the vaccine in the clinic. Two days later, my mother ensured I had my proof of payment on my way to school so I could get my shot. The memory of my mother’s determination to protect me from cervical cancer is a constant reminder of the power of knowledge and action.
As a nation, we must empower every Nigerian woman with the same knowledge and access to preventative measures. Let us become advocates for change, raising our voices to demand increased funding for awareness campaigns, and comprehensive support systems for those affected by this disease, as well as those that may be affected in future. Cervix cancer is killing our women, let’s do more to protect them.
Written By Alalade Eniola Abigail, a writer based in Lagos Nigeria.
