Senior Nigerian physicians have raised alarm over the increasing number of cervical cancer cases among women, linking the rise to decades of inadequate vaccination coverage and limited screening.
Experts point to low awareness, late presentation, and persistent socio-cultural barriers as key factors driving the trend.
Limited access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and screening programs have left many women at risk.
Cervical cancer, caused by HPV a sexually transmitted virus affecting the cervix was responsible for 350,000 deaths globally in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In Nigeria, it ranks as the third most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of female cancer deaths between ages 15 and 44, with 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths reported in 2020.
Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, a radiation medicine specialist at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, explained that most women diagnosed today were not vaccinated during their adolescence.
“Their current disease reflects infections acquired 10, 20, or even 25 years ago,” she said. While Nigeria has introduced HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 since 2023, this will mainly benefit future generations.
Okoye emphasized that screening remains insufficient, even as awareness improves. Economic constraints, fear, stigma, and competing priorities often prevent women from regular checks, allowing the disease to progress silently.
Prof. Christopher Aimakhu, second vice president of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, highlighted lifestyle factors contributing to earlier diagnoses.
“The age of sexual debut has decreased, with some young women starting at 12 or 13, often with multiple partners. This increases early exposure to HPV,” he said.
He also noted that cases are now emerging in women as young as 28, compared to the previous average onset of 40–45 years.
Experts agree that HPV vaccination, accessible low-cost screening, and prompt treatment are essential to curb the rising burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria.
With over 14 million girls vaccinated in 2024, the country is building a protected cohort that could drastically reduce incidence rates in the future.
“Combining vaccination with effective screening and treatment can help bend the curve on both incidence and late-stage deaths,” Okoye concluded