Every year, over 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Tanzania, and more than 6,000 die from the disease. Cervical cancer is the most frequent cancer among women in the country. Globally, women living with HIV have a significantly higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.
Cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus. The HPV vaccine is a proven and effective prevention method that protects girls and young women against the primary cause of cervical cancer. Treatment procedures for cervical cancer include cryotherapy and thermocoagulation, both of which are used to remove precancerous lesions and prevent the development of invasive cancer.