HPV vaccines are vaccines that prevent infection by certain types of HPV that cause the greatest risk of cervical cancer. The vaccine has shown to reduce the risk of cervical cancer by more than 90 per cent.

A healthcare giver at the Abokobi Wellness Centre, Accra, Madam Elizabeth Dankwa, gave the advice during a forum organised by the health facility for traders and female pupils from selected schools within the Abokobi enclave.

It was aimed at educating partic­ipants on the dangers of ignoring signs of the disease and the need for women to take their health, and that of their wards seriously.

According to Ms Dankwa, though some individuals felt the vaccine against the HPV virus, main cause of cervical cancer were not affordable, it was less expensive than cancer treatment.

Going for regular medical screenings and practising personal body examination, she said was very necessary for the early detection of any abnormality.

Madam Dankwa said that cervical cancer was highly preventable, add­ing that parents and guardians must do everything within their means to protect their children from getting infected.

“The vaccines are available so try as much as you can to get your wards vaccinated before they start having unprotected sex and get exposed to HPV. Also ensure you educate them on the relevance of chastity,” she added.

Touching on the devastating implications of cervical cancer, a Principal Physician Assistant, Dr Christiana Addo, stated that when the disease was not detected early, it became difficult to treat, saying that was what causes the death of many sufferers of the ailment.

She, therefore, underscored the need for regular screening “because when it is detected early and man­aged effectively it can be cured.”

A cancer advocate and nurse at the Madina Polyclinic, Accra, Mr Blaise Ackom, advised women against using cosmetic products to douche, adding that such practices were not healthy.

He also advised young girls and women in general to desist from indiscriminate sexual activities to reduce their risk of getting exposed to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2018, an estimated 570,000 women were diagnosed with cer­vical cancer worldwide and about 311,000 women died from the disease.