Fatimah launches DIY cervical cancer screening campaign
KUCHING: Minister for Welfare, Community Well-Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah launched Sarawak’s first state-wide DIY (do-it-yourself) cervical cancer screening campaign at City One Megamall here yesterday.
In this campaign themed “SigekKitak, SigekKamek” (One for me and one for you), for every HPV ( Human Papiloma Virus) test kit a woman buys she will donate another test kit to an underprivileged woman.
The campaign aims to remove obstacles to cervical cancer screening, said Fatimah, adding that cervical cancer is 90 per cent preventable with vaccination and regular screening. On March 20, Fatimah mentioned that this test kit will cost about RM150 each.
“It is our belief that ‘SigekKitak, SigekKamek’ cervical cancer prevention campaign can boost cervical cancer screening to 100 per cent by next year. With extensive and consistent cervical cancer screening we expect the state’s cervical cancer rates to be halved in the next five to ten years’ time,’ she said.
“Cervical cancer elimination is a significant women and public health issue that is entirely within our reach,” she added.
“The urban setting for the campaign is such that the kit is purchased and received by mail. Drop off will begin one week from the test-run date which is once monthly.
“Results and follow up will be sent through SMS or WhatsApp to the registered number. Call back will be in two to three days if there is no acknowledgement of results received. Drop off points are City One Pink and Teal booth, O& G Clinic SGH and Unimas O& G Clinic in Samarahan,” she said.
“After 50 years, the Pap smear programme is a failure nationwide for failing to meet the quality indicators of adequate coverage and reliable follow up,” she pointed out.
In 2018, 120 new cases of cervical cancer were reported at Sarawak General Hospital alone. In Malaysia it is the top two most common women’s cancer. Cervical cancer causes a quarter million deaths worldwide annually with 85 per cent from developing nations. In contrast cervical cancer is not within the top 20 most common woman cancer in advanced countries where a reliable cervical cancer screening programme is established.
During the same function, Fatimah launched Pink and Teal Women’s Marathon, the first women’s marathon in Sarawak with 400 metres high heel run, Tutu run, 1KM family children’s stroll and a competitive Women’s half marathon.
The run to create greater public awareness on breast and cervical cancer will be held on Oct 27 2019.