Educate, vaccinate, prevent: strategies to tackle cervical cancer in Pakistan - an editorial letter

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in the world, with HPV accounting for nearly 95% of cases. Despite being preventable by vaccination and early detection, cervical cancer remains a major public health concern in Pakistan due to the limited HPV immunisation programs. An estimated 73.8 million girls aged 15 and older are at risk, with approximately 5008 new cases identified each year. Limited awareness, stigma, and vaccine costs all contribute to low HPV vaccine uptake. This letter emphasises the importance of a multimodal approach to promoting HPV vaccination, which includes school-based awareness campaigns, curricular integration, healthcare professional participation, and community-led activities. Establishing a nationwide HPV control program, similar to the one used by the CDC in the United States, could aid in the implementation of mass vaccination and screening measures, ultimately reducing cervical cancer incidence in Pakistan.