Bhutan has committed to eliminate cervical cancer at the 144th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) held in Geneva, Switzerland last month. The ministry has initiated the elimination committee who will provide with the roadmap towards elimination.
Bhutan is currently serving as the executive board member of WHO along with 34 countries. The main function of the executive board is to decide on agenda and this time, Bhutan has committed to eliminate cervical cancer.
At the Friday media meet, the Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said about half of the population in the country is female and cervical cancer is the top most common cancer affecting the women.
“We have policies in place and have also introduced Pap Smear. And with the introduction of vaccinations recently, we will be able to protect the next generation. But the problem is with the ones who already have cervical cancer and those who are at risk. That’s why it’s important to make interventions.”
Health minister added, “in a country where we have strong leadership, we can achieve the elimination of cervical cancer.”
Cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Unlike other cancers, cervical cancer is preventable if detected early.
“Cervical cancer is easily preventable because it’s a sexually transmitted disease. If it was not preventable, it’s easily detectable. If it’s detected, it’s easily treatable. Yet when we are losing so many women to this disease, where is the fault?” Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said.
Prime Minister added not only women it is also important to consider vaccinating men too. HPV vaccine program was started in 2010, to prevent cervical cancer in the country.
“Females get cervical cancer from men because it’s a sexually transmitted disease. For this, it’s important we vaccinate not just women but men too.”
According to last year’s Annual Health Bulletin, of the total 1,357 cancers reported in the country in 2017, close to 100 were cervical cancers.
Cervical cancer is the sixth most referred case after breast, lung, head and neck, blood and thyroid cancers.
