- Authorities urge Pap smear cytology and HPV DNA testing
Consultant Community Physician at the Family Health Bureau, Dr. Nadeeja Herath said yesterday (30) that around 1,400 new cases of cervical cancer are reported annually, with about 800 deaths recorded each year.
Speaking at an event aimed at eliminating cervical cancer in Sri Lanka by 2030, Dr. Herath said that nearly eight million women over the age of 15 are at risk of developing cancer of the cervix in the country.
She noted that the main cause is persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual activity.
She pointed out that cervical cancer affects women in the working population, impacting productivity due to the absence from work, and placing both a financial and emotional burden on families.
Dr. Herath said that the ‘Well Woman Programme’, introduced in 1996, began cervical cancer screening in 1998. It targets women aged 15 to 49 years, with priority given to those aged 35 and 45. Screening is carried out through Well Woman Clinics run by Medical Officers of Health, and includes Pap smear cytology and HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing.
Referring to global targets, Dr. Herath said that the strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 focuses on vaccinating 90 per cent of girls against HPV by the age of 15. She added that to meet the 2030 goal, 70 per cent of women must be screened using a high-precision test at the ages of 35 and 45.
Emphasising the importance of tackling cervical cancer, she said that it remains a leading cause of cancer deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. “It is a highly preventable and detectable disease, and early detection is possible through screening,” she said.
Dr. Herath said that the way forward is to expand HPV DNA testing nationwide, while improving the quality and logistics of screening services. She also stressed the need to increase access through outreach clinics, and to explore insurance support similar to the Agrahara scheme. She noted that with strengthened screening, vaccination, and treatment efforts, Sri Lanka can move towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.