Number of cervical cancer cases up due to late screening (Khaled Rahal)

Tunis: Number of cervical cancer cases is rising, with almost 600 new cases reported each year, of which 70% are detected at the 4th stage, said Professor Khaled Rahal head of the carcinological surgery department at the Salah Azzaiez Institute. At a scientific meeting organised Friday by the National Office for the Family and Population under the theme of "Female Cancers," the professor indicated that screening for cervical cancer is carried out late due to insufficient awareness-raising and prevention operations. The number of women suffering from cervical cancer and breast cancer will increase due to malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle and smoking, all of which increase the risk factors, he added. Taking the floor, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ben Arous Regional Hospital Hajer Bettaieb said that cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women, stressing the importance of vaccination from the age of 12. Vaccination against cervical cancer will be introduced into the vaccinat ion calendar from 2025 onwards in a bid to reduce the number of cases, she added. For his part, National Office for the Family and Population CEO Mohamed Douagi told TAP that early detection of cervical cancer is important as it is the most common cancer in women, pointing out that the Office is working to strengthen the culture of equality and free healthcare through health caravans nationwide . Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse