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29 March 2024

Cervical cancer common in UAE women

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

Cervical cancer cases are on the rise in the UAE, with research results indicating it is the fourth common cancer amongst women here, with Emiratis comprising 30 per cent of the cases.

The increase in cases and the recent screening techniques of determining the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which can result in cervical cancer, was an alarm bell raised at last week’s Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress.

Dr Mohammad Rajabi from the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, said: “Cervical Cancer rates at 14th in cancer deaths in the United States, with 12,000 new cases annually; 4,000 of these leading to death. In the UAE, it ranks at No. 4 as per statistics.”

Without urgent action, the fatality rate is projected to rise by 25 per cent over the next 10 years.

To combat this alarming rise, Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) will be implementing a HPV screening programme in the capital this year to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and its mortality rates.

In a statement, Dr Jalaa Asaad Taher, section head, cancer control and prevention, HAAD, said: “More than 20 medical facilities will be selected... The programme’s goals are to reduce the incidence of cancer and mortality, detect and remove disease precursors consequently preventing it developing into cancer.”

HAAD’s programme aims to screen around 70 per cent of the Emirati female population, and by doing so, result in 60 per cent reduction in the incidence rate of cervical cancer and a 20 per cent decrease in the mortality rate.

Cervical cancer is a disease where the cells of the cervix start multiplying uncontrollably and 99 per cent of the time is caused by HPV.

Vaccines against the HPV are available in the UAE, with a 2008 initiative targeting schools in the capital free-of-charge.

According to the US-based Food and Drug Administration, the optimal use of the vaccine is for pre-sexually active women, which is why it is now recommended for individuals between the ages of 9 and 26 years.

With no exposure to sexually transmitted viruses the vaccine gives them protection against the four main sub-types of HPV.

Cleveland Clinic’s Dr Rajabi said: “Cervical Cancer screening is not recommended for women under 21 years of age, considering you are exposing them further to abnormalities. This is where prevention comes in.”

In its next stage in 2013, HAAD states HPV vaccines will be available at various healthcare facilities, pre-marital screening clinics, women’s health centres, cancer screening centres, and college/university screening clinics.

The aim of this initiative is to increase the uptake of the vaccine in the target population from 70-80 per cent over the course of five years, according to HAAD.

Risk factors that increase the development of this form cancer are smoking, use of birth control pills for more than five consecutive years, multiple full term pregnancies (three or more), having a full term pregnancy at a young age, and having a condition that alters the body’s immunity and having sexually transmitted diseases.

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