SOLOMON Islands can lead the Pacific in the fight against cervical cancer with the introduction of a new vaccine which can help women and young girls prevent the deadly disease.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF), Joe Tooma highlighted this after conducting a day-long forum with health officers from the Ministry of Health and other stake holders on Tuesday.
Mr Tooma said that plans are now underway for the vaccine to be used next year.
He said that the use of this anti-cervical cancer vaccine will indeed save many lives of both women and men in the Solomon Islands adding that with cervical cancer being the main cause of death for many people in the country, the introduction of this vaccine will be an example to other Pacific Island countries-showing the seriousness of Solomon Islands in fighting this killer disease.
“In the Solomon Islands, cervical cancer is the number one cancer killer of woman ahead of breast and lung cancer. Almost all cervical cancer has been shown to be caused by the HPV (human papilloma virus) which is very common and is spread between men and women by sexual contact.
“Four out of five people all around the world will be exposed to HPV during in their lives,” Mr Tooma said.
He said that the HPV anti-cervical vaccine is very safe and effective with more than 80 million doses already given around the world.
Mr Tooma said the vaccine can prevent 70-80% of cervical cancer adding that this is the first time in the world that a vaccine has produced purposely to prevent cancer.
“The vaccine is very safe and effective and we plan on starting this program sometime next year-starting with schools, specifically upon recommendation from the World Health Organization, the vaccination will be started with girls aged 9 to 13.
“Each girl will be given three doses for a period of six months for it to be most effective,” Mr Tooma said.
Mr Tooma said that once implemented, vaccines will be available through a school-based program to girls in standard three or four, adding that vaccines may also be available through community health clinics for girls who do not receive it at school.
He said that having seen the success of the vaccine around the world, its implementation in the Solomon Islands will indeed be of great help.
“A WHO report from January 2010 estimates that over the next 15 years the rates of deaths from cervical cancer in the Solomon Islands will more than double, with an effective anti-cervical cancer vaccination program in place, it may be possible to save the lives of hundreds of Solomon Islands wives and mothers.
“The program would make sure that the death rate of women from cervical cancer in this country starts to reduce over the next 15 years rather than increase as predicted,” Mr Tooma said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Lester Ross hailed the proposed plan of the vaccination program as a way forward in the fight against cancer in Solomon Islands.
Dr Ross encouraged his senior departmental officers to give full support to commence an early implementation of the anti-cervical cancer vaccination program by May 2010.
This he said could lead to a comprehensive program for the whole of Solomon Islands within four to five years.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
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