HILARY HOSIA
A massive campaign to prevent, treat and eliminate cervical cancer is underway by the Ministry of Health and Human Services following a financial boost of $100,000 from the United Nations Population Fund.
“No one should die from cervical cancer — zero,” MOHHS Deputy Secretary Mailynn Konelios-Lang said during the handover ceremony for the UN contribution Wednesday at the Marshall Islands Resort. Yet, she pointed out, the “youngest victim of cervical cancer passed away at 23 leaving behind her children and family,” Mailynn said.
An average of 70 women per 100,000 are diagnosed annually in the RMI with cervical cancer — far higher than in the Micronesian Region or the United States. In fact, according to hospital statistics, cervical cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the Marshall Islands — yet it is preventable with vaccination.
To change this narrative, the hospital is going on the offensive with its strategy to target girls ages nine though 15 with the cancer vaccine in schools. In addition, hospital leadership will be meeting with the Public School System later in the week to seek consent for school visits. Pending green light from PSS, consent forms will be provided to schools to ensure the rollout to schools begins this month.
“Cancer does not leave anyone behind,” Dr. Mateen Ahmed Shaheen said on behalf of UNFPA. Last week, Dr. Mateen joined MOHHS and other officials in the launching of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Policy and Strategy.
For MOHHS Secretary Francyne Wase-Jacklick, the initiative is personal as her mother Nica Wase has been a cancer survivor for 12 years.
The round-table handover at Marshall Islands Resort was captured by Power 103.5FM for broadcast on the popular radio station.
Young girls that are traveling outside of Marshall Islands for school and other purposes are encouraged to visit the hospital immunization department to receive the HPV vaccine that helps prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer. The hospital was granted 8,000 Pap test kits as part of the program. Pap tests are used as a screening method for women to check for cancer or other health disorders.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services plans to expand its prevention campaign and treatment outside of Majuro in the near future.