Hanifah says the lack of screening could result in women missing the opportunity for early detection. – Bernama photo
KUCHING (July 19): About 65 per cent of women in Malaysia have not undergone cervical screening in the past three years, highlighting the need for greater awareness and access to preventive healthcare.
In this matter, Deputy Health Minister Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib said the lack of screening could result in women missing the opportunity for early detection.
“Cervical cancer can be prevented. With the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, regular screening and early treatment, we can protect more women and save more lives,” she said in launching Phase 6 of Etiqa’s Free Cervical Screening Programme with the ROSE Foundation in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Hanifah stressed that the screening programme had helped thousands of women nationwide access life-saving cervical screening, making preventive healthcare more accessible to the communities.
“This programme is more than a screening initiative; it is a commitment to giving women hope, protecting lives and ensuring every woman has the opportunity to live a healthier future.
“A DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) test can detect the virus early, long before cancer develops,” she said.
Hanifah also said Malaysia became the first country in the region to include the HPV vaccine in its National Immunisation Programme in 2010, followed by the introduction of HPV DNA screening and self-sampling in 2019 to make screening easier and more accessible.
“These initiatives are important steps towards eliminating cervical cancer and ensuring a healthier future for Malaysian women.”
Hanifah also urged the public to move away from the perception that women would only need to see a gynaecologist during pregnancy, when planning to have children, or after becoming sexually active.
“Gynaecologists can also help address common health issues such as painful periods, irregular menstrual cycles and other reproductive health issues.
“Looking after reproductive health should be a normal part of growing up, not something to be feared or avoided,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hanifah said the Ministry of Health (MoH) remained committed to achieving the goals of the Action Plan Towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer 2021-2030 through prevention, screening, diagnosis and follow-up care.
She said the partnership with the ROSE Foundation, strengthened through a memorandum of understanding inked last year, as well as programmes such as the Etiqa Free Cervical Screening Programme, signified how the government, private sector and community partners could work together to improve access to cervical screening.
“Every woman deserves access to safe, respectful and quality healthcare.
“The MoH, together with its partners must continue removing barriers so everyone has the opportunity to protect their health.”
Hanifah added that mental health care and emotional support were also essential throughout a woman’s health journey, particularly after receiving screening results.
“By providing counselling, reassurance and continued follow-up care, while promoting healthy lifestyles and strong community support, we can help women feel confident and empowered to take charge of their health,” she said.
She added that through collective efforts, cervical cancer could be prevented, detected early and managed effectively, ensuring no woman would face the journey alone.
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