9,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, fatality rate 50%

As many as 9,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the country every year, and nearly half of them succumb to their afflictions, said experts at an event on Monday.

The event marked the launch of the Bangladesh chapter of International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS). It was held at the Super Specialised Hospital under the Bangladesh Medical University (BMU).

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes the cancer, health experts said, calling for expanded coverage of vaccination, early diagnosis, research and awareness campaigns. They also stressed bringing 11-21-year olds from both sex groups under vaccination coverage.

Dr Ashrafunnesa, chief of IPVS-Bangladesh chapter, said HPV is responsible for one of the most common sex-related diseases globally.

She praised the Bangladesh authorities for bringing young schoolgirls from class five and other girls aged minimum 10 years under the vaccination coverage.

She said that at present high-risk HPV infection rate among women in Bangladesh is 4.2%.