Prof. Obiri-Yeboah calls for stronger action on cervical cancer

Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable yet deadly diseases affecting women, particularly in low and middle-income countries where access to screening and vaccination remains limited.

This concern was raised by a Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah, during her inaugural lecture.

Delivering the lecture on the theme, “Confronting a Hydra-Headed Problem: Human Papillomavirus, Cervical Cancer, and the Quest for Elimination in Resource-Constrained Settings,” Prof. Obiri-Yeboah explained that cervical cancer was largely caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection mostly transmitted through sexual contact.

According to her, although HPV infections were widespread, the lack of awareness, limited screening and late detection continued to contribute to high mortality rates.

“Every two minutes, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from cervical cancer,” she stated, emphasising the urgency of addressing the disease.

Prof. Obiri-Yeboah noted that about nine out of ten cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, making it a significant public health concern for countries such as Ghana.

She indicated that in Ghana, cervical cancer remained the second most common cancer among women, yet screening levels remained very low.

She stressed that many of these deaths could be prevented because cervical cancer develops slowly, often taking between 15 and 20 years to progress from infection to invasive cancer.

“This means there is a long window of opportunity to detect early changes and treat them before they become life-threatening,” she explained.

Low screening

Despite this opportunity, screening coverage in Ghana remained limited, with some studies suggesting rates as low as three per cent.

Prof. Obiri-Yeboah attributed the low screening rates to several barriers, including limited access to diagnostic services, cultural discomfort associated with screening procedures, and low public awareness.

She further explained that HPV was linked not only to cervical cancer but also to other cancers affecting both men and women, including throat, anal and penile cancers.

As part of efforts to address the challenge, she welcomed Ghana’s introduction of the HPV vaccine into the national immunisation programme in October 2025, targeting girls between the ages of nine and 14.

She described vaccination as a key preventive strategy that could significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer if administered at the recommended age.

“Countries such as Australia have nearly eliminated cervical cancer through strong vaccination and screening programmes,” she said, urging parents to ensure their daughters receive the vaccine.

Self-sampling

Prof. Obiri-Yeboah also highlighted the growing importance of self-sampling screening methods, which allow women to collect their own samples for HPV testing.

According to her, studies have shown that self-sampling produced results comparable to samples collected by clinicians while helping to overcome cultural barriers that discourage women from screening.

“This approach is particularly useful in resource-constrained settings because it increases access and reduces the need for specialised facilities,” she noted.

She emphasised that eliminating cervical cancer required a comprehensive strategy that combined vaccination, screening, early treatment and strong public education.

Prof. Obiri-Yeboah therefore called on policymakers, health professionals, researchers, the media and communities to work together in confronting what she described as a complex public health challenge.