Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: It’s time to improve screening and management of female cancers and HPV-related conditions
Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, UICC President-Elect of 2024-2026, posted on LinkedIn:
“Female-related cancers; cervical, breast, and ovarian along with HPV-related conditions like genital warts, claim far too many lives, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cervical cancer alone takes over 342,000 lives annually, with 90% of deaths occurring in LMICs. Breast cancer, the most common cancer in women globally, accounts for 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths yearly, with LMICs bearing nearly 50% of cases and 58% of deaths, despite underreporting. Ovarian cancer, though less common, sees over 60% of its cases in LMICs, often diagnosed late due to limited access to care. HPV, the virus behind cervical cancer, also causes genital warts, affecting millions worldwide and causing significant physical and emotional distress.
As a medical professional, I’ve seen the devastating impact of these diseases but also the life-saving power of early detection and timely intervention. We have the tools to prevent HPV related conditions effectively: HPV vaccination, screenings, and advanced treatments. Yet systemic barriers, lack of awareness, and inequitable access leave countless women and men vulnerable. Only 15% of women in LMICs have access to cervical cancer screening, compared to 63% in high-income countries. This gap is at risk of widening, with the cuts in global health financing from the U.S.A. Similarly, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer in high-income countries is over 90%, but in LMICs, it drops to 40% or lower due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options.
I recently had the pleasure of joining The Women in Healthcare Leadership Podcast Series, where Jelena Spyropoulos, steered Nermean Mostafa and I in a conversation on these critical issues and the importance of empowering women in healthcare to drive change. These conversations are vital in shaping a more equitable and effective healthcare system. Kudos to Medscape Education for the Hear From Her podcast.
As we mark another International Women’s Day, it’s time for a multifaceted approach to improve screening and management of female cancers and HPV-related conditions. LMICs should review their budget and invest in education to eliminate myths and stigma, expand access to affordable screening, and ensure life-saving vaccines and treatments are available to all. We must advocate for policies prioritizing women’s health and foster collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to drive meaningful change.
As medical professionals, we must lead the charge to end preventable female cancers. Let’s push for early detection, accessible treatment, and effective HPV management. Together, we can create a world where early detection became a norm.
The only way we should go is up—let’s make it happen.”
-
Challenging the Status Quo in Colorectal Cancer 2024
December 6-8, 2024
-
ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
-
ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
-
Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
-
OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
-
Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023