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Ms. Jennifer Nelson, a Preventive and Occupational Health Management Consultant, has called for a scale up in the screening for cervical cancer to aid in early detection.
She said screening was a critical component of cervical cancer elimination, stressing that it could accelerate the pace of a world free of cervical cancer marching towards the 2030 deadline. Ms. Nelson, who is also the CEO of the preventive health NGO Lifeline Haven Company Limited, stated during an engagement organized by Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) as part of activities to mark the 2025 Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
Since 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been driving a global effort to eliminate cervical cancer, underscoring the necessity of collaborative innovation and sustained commitment. Cervical Health Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the progress made and the work that lies ahead. Amplifying the importance of prevention, championing mental health care, and fostering a supportive community can prioritize cervical cancer activities.
She explained that young people, especially women, must be encouraged to undergo the screening. “Early detection is key to winning the war against cervical cancer; people should not fear going to health facilities for screening.” Ms. Nelson noted, “Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are cost-effective.
“Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.” Mr. Francis Ameyibor, CDA Consult Executive Director, explained that the 2025 theme for Cervical Cancer Awareness month which is “Eliminating Cervical Cancer: A Shared Responsibility.” He said this theme emphasized the need for collective action to prevent cervical cancer, which claims thousands of lives annually in Ghana.
He explained that Cervical Cancer Prevention Month served as a dedicated awareness campaign aimed at educating people about cervical cancer, its prevention, and the importance of regular screenings and it was a largely preventable disease, and this week serves as a reminder to prioritize cervical health and take steps to reduce the risk of this cancer.
Mr Ameyibor said the climax of Cervical Cancer Prevention Month is observed from January 22nd to January 28th, stressing that CDA Consult and partners have line up series of events this month to commemorate the event. He said CDA Consult and partners are mobilizing resources and rallying stakeholders as part of the relentless national advocacy campaign to battle cervical cancer.
He added that CDA Consult is mobilizing health professionals, human rights advocates, gender activists, religion adherents, and communication practitioners on a new model of advocacy. He acknowledged that progress has been made in spreading cervical cancer awareness; nonetheless, “as we approach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal threshold for cervical cancer eradication, we need to scale up our efforts through a comprehensive national action involving both state and non-state actors.”
Mr Ameyibor said the advocacy group has to roll out a relentless advocacy campaign to combat cervical cancer in the country and also draw global attention to the slow pace of achieving the 2030 target and the need for scaling up the process. The CDA Consult Executive Director said under the broad banner “Ghana Must Rise Against Cervical Cancer,” which emanates from the Change Paradigm Advocacy campaign for free HPV vaccinations, advocacy, and scaling up prevention, detection, and treatment to eliminate cervical cancer in the country.
He said, out of the national broad banner, regional-specific slogans and advocacy strategies have been developed to accelerate public education. Mr. Ameyibor said as a result, CDA Consult, in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the National Insurance Commission (NIC), launched the “Eastern Region Must Rise Against Cervical Cancer” last year.
He said, “This year our team will work with regional health professionals to embark on vigorous education across the districts to ensure that the message to combat cervical cancer through vaccination, screening, diagnosis, and treatment is spread across.” Mr. Ameyibor commended the NCCE, Caritas Christi Hospital in Ho, Volta Region and NIC for joining the CDA Consult cervical cancer prevention change paradigm advocacy to ensure that Ghana gathered the weapons to fight against cervical cancer.
Source: GNA
