In the declaration, the president outlined the significant threat that cervical cancer poses to women in developing countries worldwide.
He stated that each year there are about 400,000 new cases of cervical cancer, of which 80 percent occur in developing countries. Every two minutes a woman dies of cervical cancer somewhere in the world.
The FSM representative to the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands, Dr. Joanes Sarofalpiy, FSM Secretary of Health Dr. Vita Skilling, comprehensive cancer control and prevention coordinator Amato Elymore and immunization program coordinator Louisa Helgenberger are working together on a vaccine pre-education and implementation for human papilloma virus.
This is a very common virus and believed to be a major cause of cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer can be prevented by early treatment, including HPV vaccination.
Mori’s declaration also highlights some of the activities that are being held this year to increase the awareness of cancer prevention.
The FSM will celebrate the International Celebration Week on March 6-8, with a theme of “Prevention of the Human Papilloma Virus.”
HPV immunizations for girls begin in Kosrae today, in Yap on Feb. 25, and in Pohnpei on March 9.
