PREVENTION, SCREENING AND TREATMENT OF CERVICAL CANCER IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest rate of cervical cancer incidence globally, ranging from between 43.3/100,000 to 69.8/100,000 women and which is fifteen times higher than that in developed Nations. This disproportionate disease burden has been exacerbated by the high prevalence of HIV in the region, insufficient sexual and reproductive health education and early sexual activity causing a high rate of unprotected sex resulting in sexually transmitted diseases among girls and women. In addition, this linked to the lack of adequate cervical cancer awareness, prevention and care services have resulted in an unrivalled number of cervical cancer deaths of women in SSA.