To battle cervical cancer in Latvia, a special campaign is announced – Be ahead of cervical cancer! This campaign will remain active between September 2022 and March 2023.
The campaign is organised by the Latvian Cervical Cancer Awareness Fund together with Latvian Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians and Latvian Society of Colposcopy.
The objective of this campaign is encouraging women to undergo state-funded cervical cancer screening.
«Cervical cancer is an illness that can be fully prevented with active participation from members of our society. Currently cervical cancer is found on average among 26 women out of 100 000, which is concerning, because this number is double of the average indexes in Europe,» says the head of Latvian Cervical Cancer Awareness Fund Kristīne Pčolkina.
Every woman has the option to check for cervical cancer by signing up to state-funded screening.
At the same time, youngsters should consider vaccinating for human papillomavirus, suggests Pčolkina.
«In recent years there have been significant changes in Latvia in regards to state-funded cervical cancer screening. Until now, however, this was done using outdated and less effective methods,» says Latvian Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, gynaecologist Vija Veisa.
For nearly half of women cervical cancer develops at an age of around 45 years.
This is a time when women remain active in their career and have a family and children, stresses Veisa.
«Most often screening helps uncover a pre-cancer condition. If we find it, usually we put an end to it and prevent cancer from developing. This is why women shouldn’t be afraid to learn something concerning. Women should sign up for screening. Health is a responsibility for ourselves and our significant others!» encourages Vija Veisa.