Recommendations for cervical cancer prevention and control in Ghana: public education and human papillomavirus vaccination

Abstract

SUMMARYGlobally, cervical cancer is a major public health issue causing increasing morbidity and mortality especially in lowand middle-income countries where preventive and control measures are lacking. In Ghana, it is the most common cancer among women. Approaches to reduce the incidence and mortality of the disease in Ghana have had little success due to lack of accurate data on the disease among other factors, to inform policies on prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the lack of clear commitment, policy direction and resources has hindered the scale-up of some of the initiatives implemented to curb the cervical cancer situation in Ghana. In this paper, we make recommendations on cervical cancer education and human papillomavirus vaccination. A collaborative approach is needed involving both private and government organizations, health professionals and the general public. Public education on cervical cancer and HPV vaccination needs to be delivered through a mixture of systems including both healthcare facilities and outreach programs, involving teachers, youth groups, community members and professional bodies. The vaccination of adolescents aged 10-14 years using the nonavalent HPV vaccine will be important in reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Ghana. The integration of public education on cervical cancer prevention, HPV vaccination and screening programs into both medical and public health services is critical in achieving high coverage of these programs. Funding: None

Determining the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection using a novel cervical precancer screening approach in incarcerated women at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, Ghana

“…In LMICs such as Ghana, it has been suggested that a mix of innovative screening methods tailored to the patient’s unique circumstances need to be employed for cervical cancer screening, if any gains are to be made in the fight to reduce the burden of cervical cancer [ 2 , 5 ]. Improving accessibility to cervical cancer screening is crucial to reducing the burden of cervical cancer in Ghana considering that there are reported disparities between various regions in the country [ 6 ].…”

Incidence and mortality of cancer in the Volta Region of Ghana

“…There have been strategies to reduce the incidence of cancers in Ghana 25–27 ; however, the disease remains a threat to the health of the Ghanaian populace. Our current study was designed to examine the various types of cancers reported to hospitals in the Volta Region of Ghana with the aim of contributing to the cancer data in the country.…”

“…17 Other reports from Ghana also identified breast, cervical, liver, and prostate cancers as the leading causes of cancer mortality. 8,17,25 HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer in Ghana, and the cancer accounts for about 8% of all cancer deaths in the country. 38 Globally, lung, colorectal, stomach, liver, and breast cancers result in the highest estimated deaths.…”

National Policies to Prevent and Manage Cervical Cancer in East African Countries: A Policy Mapping Analysis

“…The long waiting time to receive cytology results leads to loss of follow-up, which is a contributing factor to advanced stage diagnosis [88]. Poor funding, as cited by many East African countries, is congruent with several studies conducted in Africa on a lack of funding as a barrier to the control and prevention of cancer [63,89]. Populations of East African countries are not covered by a social healthcare system, where there is no universal access to most healthcare services, for example, HPV vaccination.…”