A specialist at the National Cancer Unit in Lae city has said that Morobe province has emerged with the highest cervical cancer rates in Papua New Guinea and is raising concerns about the provincial health system’s ability to address the issue.
Dr. Timothy Kink said inadequate health reporting and lack of awareness have led to delays in identifying and treating cervical cancer cases.
“Morobe is among the leading provinces in the number of cervical cancer cases reported. However, we suspect the numbers are higher because many cases go undetected due to poor health services in rural areas.”
Health experts are calling for increased resources for cervical cancer screening and treatment, particularly in remote areas of the province.
The lack of awareness and poor access to healthcare in rural communities of rural Morobe is also a contributing factor to the cervical cancer crisis in the province.
Dr. Kink stated that many women in Morobe seek treatment only in the advanced stages of cervical cancer.
“Most women in rural areas are unaware of early warning signs and the importance of regular Pap smear tests.”
The cultural stigma surrounding reproductive health further discourages women from seeking medical advice. Dr. Kink has called for community outreach programs to educate people about the disease and the importance of early detection.
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