The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services will run a cervical screening campaign set for 25 to 29 September 2023, at Outjo in the Kunene Region.

According to CAN Chief Executive Officer, Rolf Hansen on Friday, the collaborative project aims to make cervical cancer screening services available to all women in the district, boosting early diagnosis and treatment.

The campaign encompasses both Visual Inspection by Acetic Acid (VIA) and Pap smear tests (cytology) and seeks to bridge the accessibility gap by making screening services readily available to every woman in the district.

Hansen said that acknowledging budgetary constraints faced by themMinisterial campaign, CAN extends its unwavering support to ensure that vital consumables necessary for the screenings are secured.

“CAN fully supports health ministry teams that take the initiative to proactively serve their communities and therefore wholeheartedly supports this request for support. This campaign aligns with CAN’s own National Cancer Outreach Programme and reflects our own ongoing commitment to fighting cancer and its devastating effects in Namibia,” he said.

Hansen noted that cervical cancer is a substantial global health concern, ranking as the fourth most common cancer among women and leading to significant fatalities annually.

“CAN underscores the importance of educating the community about cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine. Routine cervical screenings, such as Pap tests and Visual Inspection by Acetic Acid (VIA), are pivotal in detecting and addressing abnormal cell changes early, forestalling their progression to cancer,’’ he said.

By endorsing campaigns like the cervical cancer screening initiative in the Outjo district, CAN strives to heighten awareness, amplify screening accessibility, and ultimately mitigate cervical cancer prevalence in Namibia.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency