A Pathway for The Deficiencies and Challenges of Cervical Cancer Screening In Pakistan
In Pakistan, Cervical cancer is a significant public health challenge. It has become the second most common cancer among women in their reproductive age. In cancer-related deaths, it has emerged as a leading cause of death. Regardless of the availability of tools for screening that are effectiv...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/9b2215e4-45aa-44b7-8b92-e489106d7bbb.pdf |
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| Summary: | In Pakistan, Cervical cancer is a significant public health
challenge. It has become the second most common
cancer among women in their reproductive age. In
cancer-related deaths, it has emerged as a leading
cause of death. Regardless of the availability of tools
for screening that are effective and within the approach
of the general population, Pakistan still faces issues in
the implementation of effective programs for Cervical
cancer screening. There is an immediate need for the
improvement of awareness regarding cervical cancer
screening, its accessibility to the target population,
and the provision of the infrastructure to support the
screening program in healthcare settings.
One of the key barriers to the implementation of an
effective program for cervical cancer screening is the
lack of widespread awareness among the general
population in Pakistan. Studies conducted on cervical
cancer screening awareness in Pakistan have shown
that women in rural areas are unaware of cervical
cancer morbidity and mortality. Their knowledge
about its early management through screening is also
minimal. According to a study conducted on Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage and public
awareness in Pakistan showed that 70% of females are
unfamiliar with cervical cancer terminology. They lack
understanding of the importance of pap smears. There
are insufficient health campaigns and their focus mostly
lacks the marginalized population, where it is foremost
important to aware females about early screening for the
timely diagnosis of the disease [1].
Other barriers that also need the attention of the
policymakers are unequal access to the screening
services with more privileges to the females belonging
to the urban settings than small towns and rural areas
[2]. The affordability of screening services which hinders
women in low-income families from accessing the
screening is also a challenge to the cervical cancer
screening program. Those females who are tested
and have abnormal results further face challenges for
proper follow-up treatment plans and lack of clarity
about vaccination against HPV and its role in prevention
against HPV types 16 and 18. There is a challenge of
cultural barriers which also plays a significant role in
the uptake of screening against cervical cancer. Taboos
related to the causes of cervical cancer especially in
young females and their reproductive health issues
hinder the need to take preventive care within females
belonging to the conservative communities [3].
Pakistan can improve its screening program against
cervical cancer through rigorous work on the deficiencies
that need the attention of Policymakers and their role
in developing a robust program for the prevention of
cervical cancer [4]. This may include integrating cervical
cancer screening into routine healthcare services.
This further needs a basic approach to first educate
the females about cervical cancer, its risk factors like
smoking and oral contraceptives, along with the early
diagnosis. It is also important to run campaigns about
how the early diagnosis of the disease can improve the
health of females. Focusing on the dynamics of the rural
areas of Pakistan it is important to create awareness and
provision of screening services at the doorstep through
mobile health clinics and satellite healthcare centers.
This will provide a long-term solution for the accessibility
issues in rural parts of the country [5].
Cervical cancer screening is a potential tool for the
recognition of saving the lives of females in Pakistan.
The efforts to address this issue have remained
insufficient in Pakistan. The situation can be improved
by creating a large population awareness especially
targeting the underprivileged population, expanding
the services to the communities to reduce accessibility
issues, and developing policies to utilize follow-up
treatment plan guidelines. Addressing these deficiencies
calls for concerted work from policymakers, healthcare
professionals, and the general population to affirm that
every female has an approach to the preemptive care a
female needs for her health. |
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| ISSN: | 2707-3521 2708-9134 |