A consultant physician with the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, KSPHCDA, Dr Mary Onoja Alexander has advised that early detection will help prevent cervical cancer among women in Nigeria.

Onoja called attention to the menace of the disease on Tuesday in Lokoja during a media dialogue on Cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine introduction organized by John-Stow International, JSI).

The Physician lamented the prevalence of cervical cancer among women in Nigeria, saying that the intake of the vaccine will help stabilize the immune system to fight the virus in the body.

“HPV vaccine protects against certain types of cancer caused by human papillomavirus. It works by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the human papillomavirus.

”When a person receives the vaccine, their immune system recognizes the viral proteins in the vaccine and produces a response that protects against HPV infections”.

“Australia, Canada, USA have made cervical cancer vaccine a routine. But in Africa, it is not the same. The environment is a major factor in this deadly disease. That is why we are saying that vaccination is the safest way to prevent cervical cancer in Africa”.

Earlier in his presentation, the Social Behavioral Change Focal Person for John-Stow International, JSI, Kannah Terri Ibrahim said in 2020, over 600,000 Women were affected by cervical cancer worldwide.

“Out of this figure, more than 50 percent lost their lives. Those diagnosed with cervical cancer according to research were women living in developing countries like Nigeria,” he stated.

Ibrahim emphasized that the organization is kick-starting the second phase of the vaccine in which Kogi State happen to be one of the beneficiary states.

“We started this campaign in 2023. 16 States benefitted from this vaccination campaign and now Kogi State will join other states to benefit. Our target are girls between the ages of 9 to 14 years of age.

“We will be engaging stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, schools, out-of-school girls, community engagement, (hard to reach areas) to ensure effective implementation of this vaccines in Kogi State and Nigeria in general,” he added.

According to him, the media plays a vital role in the implementation of the vaccines across the state, saying they are expected to help to counter any misconception concerning the vaccine.