Saving Lives and Protecting Futures Through an Urgent Tackling of Cervical Cancer in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35845/abms.2026.1.506Keywords:
Cervical cancer, Public health issue, Human papillomavirus, PakistanAbstract
Despite being one of the most preventable malignancies, cervical cancer is nevertheless a significant public health issue in Pakistan, where an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 new cases occur annually. The actual burden is likely to be higher due to the prevalent poor cancer registries and underreporting. It is estimated that around 60% of the diagnosed women die from the disease, because the majority of the cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment is less effective. The cervical cancer primarily affects women between the ages of 15 and 55, which causes severe social and economic issues and stigmas for the families. The major barriers in the management of cervical cancer are lack of awareness, cultural taboos surrounding reproductive health, absence of national screening and HPV vaccination programs, and limited healthcare infrastructure in Pakistan. In addition, rural women encounter significant barriers to accessing healthcare. Despite being preventable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and early detection, cervical cancer continues to claim lives unnecessarily across Pakistan.
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