(Kuching, Jan 27) The Federal Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, emphasized that cervical cancer is a preventable disease, and early screening is key.
She stated that the cervical cancer screening coverage in Sarawak is low, making rural screening programs a crucial breakthrough.
She revealed that the incidence rate of cervical cancer in Sarawak remains high. To improve screening coverage, the government chose Kampung Sandubong in Sarawak as a pilot site, aiming to screen at least 300 women aged 30 to 65 each year, completing health checks for all eligible women in the village within two years.
She said this strategy is seen as a key step to address low screening rates in high-risk areas.
In her speech at the National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month event today, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri pointed out that although cervical cancer is known as the "silent killer," with advanced HPV screening technology, infections can be detected 10 years before the cancerous stage, allowing timely intervention to avoid severe consequences.
Therefore, she urged the public, especially family members and community partners, to actively support women around them to undergo screenings, working together to achieve the 2030 goal of eliminating cervical cancer.
She emphasized that protecting women's health is not only about individuals but also relates to family happiness and the overall welfare of the country.
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri pointed out that according to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 65% of women over 20 have not undergone cervical cancer screening in the past three years.
"Reasons include 90% believing they are healthy, 84% having no symptoms, and 39% citing lack of time as reasons for skipping the examination."
She disclosed that in Sarawak, a total of 45,313 women have completed screenings, with 3,037 HPV positive cases. However, early detection successfully prevented more cases from developing into cancer, which fully proves the effectiveness of screening programs.
She emphasized that symptoms are not the only indicator of health, and HPV screening gives women the opportunity to detect potential risks ahead of time.
She stated it is reassuring that from 2019 to 2024, a total of 162,581 women nationwide have undergone screening, with 10,582 confirmed HPV positive, 135 cases of precancerous conditions, and 17 confirmed cancer patients having received treatment.
Therefore, she encourages more women to participate in screenings. This year, the government, together with the National Population and Family Development Board, provides free HPV screening at 50 "Caring Clinics" nationwide, available to women aged 30 to 65.
She thanked the Sarawak Health Department, non-governmental organizations, the media, and all relevant units for their strong support, enabling the smooth implementation of the national cervical cancer screening program.
She hopes that the successful experience of Kampung Sandubong in Sarawak can be extended to other states.