Looking to save lives: Dr Sim (right) striking a gong to open the conference in Kuching. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Sarawak is moving towards PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing for cervical cancer, which is more accurate than pap smears, says Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The Deputy Premier said early detection and treatment were key in eliminating cervical cancer, in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) target.
“If you screen early enough, you can catch it much earlier. We want every woman aged between 30 and 65 years old to be screened at least twice,” he told a press conference after opening a gynaecological pathology and cytopathology conference yesterday.
Dr Sim said the state was working with the federal Women, Family and Community Development to increase screening, with facilities available at public hospitals and health clinics.
“We need to screen about 10,000 women a month.
“We try to provide the facilities, but we want Sarawakian women to look after themselves and come forward for screening.
“We want Sarawak to be the first state in Malaysia to eliminate cervical cancer,” he said.
State pathologist Dr Adam Malik Ismail said Sarawak had about 1.02 million women in the reproductive age group of 30 to 65 years old.
He said the state’s target, based on the national policy, was to screen at least 70% of this age group by 2030.
“Currently, we are actively collaborating with the Sarawak Health Department and National Population and Family Development Board to help us increase the testing kits for HPV.
“We are on the right track to achieve our national target,” he said.
In his speech earlier, Dr Sim said he agreed with WHO that cervical cancer could be eliminated through HPV vaccination, screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions.
In 2018, WHO announced a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Dr Sim noted that cervical cancer was the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with 342,000 women dying from it in 2020.
In Sarawak, he said, cervical cancer accounted for about 15% of 2,300 new cancer cases detected every year.
