“Our data from the last years show that women in their 40s are most commonly affected and most women with cervical cancer who come for treatment are in late stages and there is nothing we can do,” said Dr Damutalau.

The Doctor explained that unlike most cancers, cervical cancer is the only cancer that has a prolonged precancerous period of 10 to 15 years.

It is the only cancer where premalignant cancer tissues can be identified through screenings.

“Pre-cancer is still not a cancer and that is why screening is so important. If precancerous tissue is identified through screening it is easily removed if not it will develop into cancer,” said Dr Damutalau.

“That is why screening awareness for women is so important, because it will detect pre-cancer tissues before it develops into cancer.”

Dr Damutalau emphasized this as he stated that the healthcare system can only perform treatment through screening and removing precancerous tissues before it becomes malignant at stage 1.

At stage 2 (a), there is a 50/50 percent chance that the cancer tissue removed will not come back.

“Once a patient is at stage 2 (b), 3 or stage 4 they have to go abroad to receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy,” he explained.

“These therapies cost about 50,000-60,000 New Zealand dollars (VT4,572,930). This amount does not cover other costs for accommodation and blood work that will be needed.”

The Doctor stressed that women get screened five years after their first sexual interaction and continue to go in for screenings every 3-5 years and women aged 30-54 years should go in for Human papillomavirus. The VCH, Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) and private medical practices carry out screenings.

VFHA will be carrying out cancer screenings on the 23rd of September at the VCH for women who want to get screened.

“Vanuatu will launch the HPV vaccinations for adolescent females who are not sexually active in 2023,” Dr Damutalau concluded.