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Summary
The article highlights the urgency of eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria as the world marks the International Day for Cervical Cancer Elimination on November 17. Despite being preventable and treatable, cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among Nigerian women, with over 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths annually.
Every year on November 17, the world observes the International Day for Cervical Cancer Elimination, a significant global health milestone introduced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020.
The day commemorates the world’s first-ever commitment to eliminating a form of cancer as a public health problem.
The vision of WHO for cervical cancer elimination is a world where no woman dies from a disease that is preventable, treatable, and detectable early.
The theme for 2025, “Act Now: Eliminate Cervical Cancer,” calls on governments, health systems, and communities to take urgent, coordinated action to accelerate progress on the 90-70-90 targets: 90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% access to treatment.
Understanding Cervical Cancer: What It Is and Why It Matters
Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, and is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection so common that nearly all sexually active people will encounter it at some point.
The disease develops slowly, making early detection possible. Yet it remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria.
When caught early, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers, but when detected late, it can be deadly.
The State of Cervical Cancer in Nigeria
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria after breast cancer.
According to the HPV Information Centre, an estimated 12,075 Nigerian women are diagnosed each year, and about 8,000 die from the disease. Research also shows that less than 10% of eligible women have ever been screened, leading to late diagnosis and reduced survival chances.
Findings from the SciVision review highlight several persistent challenges:
- Low public awareness
- Limited access to screening, especially in rural areas
- High cost of HPV testing
- Uneven rollout of HPV vaccines
- Stigma and cultural barriers to discussing reproductive health
For many Nigerian women, financial hardship, misinformation, and social norms continue to reduce health-seeking behaviours, allowing a preventable disease to thrive.
Expert Insights
Dr Eli Miracle, a Nigerian medical practitioner, describes the current level of awareness and prevention as extremely low, which is worsened by competing national crises and economic realities.
“Awareness and prevention in Nigeria have always been low, and it is still very, very low. Organisations and medical bodies that should be leading these conversations are often distracted by other urgent issues.” She said. “Today, for instance, doctors are on strike, so the focus shifts away from health education.”
She highlighted how the state of the economy in Nigeria also plays a role in the low awareness of cervical cancer.
“People are thinking about what to eat and how to survive a day. So every other health talk is usually degraded until one person has it.” She adds that religious and cultural beliefs can create denial and resistance. “If you talk about cancer, many people say ‘God forbid’ or ‘it cannot be me.’ Some don’t even want to hear you out.”
On HPV Vaccination
Dr Eli stresses that HPV vaccination is one of the most powerful tools Nigeria has to protect Nigerian women from HPV.
“HPV is implicated in the cause of cervical cancer. If you can protect a female against HPV, you are directly protecting her against cervical cancer. That is why HPV vaccination must be taken very seriously.”
She further explained that to increase HPV vaccination, the awareness must be improved because people find it difficult to comply with directives they do not understand.
On Early Warning Signs
She advises women to seek medical help immediately if they notice:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Unexplained vaginal discharge
- Pain during intercourse
Prompt medical attention can save lives.
Making Screening and Treatment Accessible: What Nigeria Must Do
To reduce deaths and meet WHO elimination targets, Nigeria needs stronger systems and community-driven support. Here are the key steps:
- Provide HPV DNA testing and treatment at local health centres, not just tertiary hospitals.
- Expand mobile screening and outreach programmes
- Strengthen health worker training, such as quip nurses, midwives, and community health workers, to screen, educate, and refer women.
- Invest in public awareness campaigns, such as using local languages and engage religious, community, and traditional leaders to address stigma and misinformation.
- Subsidise or make services free
- Use digital and community-based tracking systems
Nigeria Must “Act Now”
As the world commemorates Cervical Cancer Elimination Day on November 17, Nigeria stands at a critical point.
With thousands of preventable deaths each year, bold action is urgently needed from government financing to community education, from health worker involvement to stronger political will.
Cervical cancer is preventable, detectable, and treatable. With coordinated action, Nigeria can protect women, strengthen families, and move one step closer to eradicating this disease for future generations.
