Cervical cancer prevention week launched in Moldovan capital

Chisinau, 23 January /MOLDPRES/ - The cervical cancer prevention week started in Moldova today. The event is organized in Moldova for the 11th year in a row and this year, for the first time, the campaign started on the platform of the Women Members of Parliament, in partnership with the Health Ministry, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).   

At the opening of the launch event, Health Minister Ale Nemerenco said that the cervical cancer was the only oncological pathology which had the chance to be removed through a string of actions. ‘’Therefore, we should strengthen and join the efforts, so that no woman gives in in the wake of this pathology,’’ the minister said. The official noted that the eradication of the cervical cancer was one of the most important goals for the period till 2030.     

The slogan of the cervical cancer prevention week in Moldova in 2023 is, Preserve the Health. Make the Cytological Test! Vaccinate against the infection with HPV! The two measurers – the cytological testing and vaccination – can fully prevent the disease.  

In Moldova, both the vaccination against HPV and the cytological test are services provided for free at the family physician. Thus, all women with ages from 25 to 61 years, both the health insured ones and the health non-insured are urged to go to the family physician and make the prevention cytological test, which is made once in three years. Also, parents are urged to immunize the girls and boys starting the age of 10 years against the infection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the main reason for this type of cancer.  

Women who managed to prevent the cervical cancer due to the cytological testing and the detection of pre-cancer injuries in time, including mothers with children, as well as a mother with her daughter vaccinated against the infection with HPV, participated in the event on the launch of the cervical cancer prevention week. The guests urged all women of Moldova to benefit from the opportunity to protect their health, through vaccination against the infection with HPV and regular cytological testing.   

Health Ministry’s data shows that about 160 women annually die because of this disease. Most women hit are young with ages from 35 to 45 years. At the same time, positive tendencies are recorded in the early detection of cervical cancer cases, which are successfully treated.  

Photo: Health Ministry