Cervical cancer claims thousands of lives annually. The grim reality is that many of these cases could be prevented through widespread HPV vaccination.
Current statistics underscore the urgent need for Kenyan parents to prioritise vaccinating their girls against HPV, a crucial step in reducing the cancer burden and safeguarding future generations.
With 5,236 new cervical cancer diagnoses and 3,211 deaths reported yearly, the toll of this disease is staggering. What is even more alarming is that cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among Kenyan women aged 15 to 44. These numbers paint a stark picture of the silent epidemic ravaging our communities.
HPV vaccination offers a beacon of hope in this fight against cervical cancer. By vaccinating our children, we can significantly reduce the risk of HPV infection, which is responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
It's estimated that about 9.1 per cent of women in Kenya have cervical infection with the HPV’s 16/18 strains, which are responsible for 63.1 per cent of invasive cervical cancers.
Yet, despite these compelling facts, HPV vaccination rates in Kenya remain suboptimal. As parents, we have a moral obligation to protect our children's health and future.
By ensuring they receive the HPV vaccine, we not only shield them from the risk of cervical cancer but also contribute to the collective effort to curb this devastating disease.
The time to act is now. Kenyan parents must prioritise HPV vaccination for their children to stem the tide of cervical cancer and spare future generations from needless suffering and loss.
Quote of the Day: "Regardless of what barriers confront you, it is in your power to free yourselves; you have only to want to."
Olympe de Gouges
The French playwright and revolutionary (Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen) was born on May 7, 1748
