Health experts in Kenya are advocating for early screening, treatment, and HPV vaccination to combat the alarming rate of cervical cancer deaths, with nine women dying daily from the preventable disease. This call comes as the world observes Cervical Health Awareness Month, emphasizing early detection and vaccination as crucial preventative measures.

• Kenya reports 5,845 new cervical cancer cases and approximately 3,591 deaths annually, largely due to late diagnosis and low screening rates.
• Clinical and Radiation Oncologist Dr. Dulcie Wanda from Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital highlights that most patients present when the disease is advanced, limiting treatment options.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends HPV vaccination for girls aged 9-14 years as a primary prevention strategy, and Kenya has transitioned to a single-dose HPV vaccine schedule for the 10-14 age group, available for free in public health facilities.
• New screening advancements like HPV DNA testing are more effective than traditional Pap smears, detecting high-risk HPV types (especially 16 and 18) responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers.