Most Malaysian women still unaware of risks of cervical cancer, HPV
PETALING JAYA – The biggest barrier to preventing cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) is the failure to recognise personal risk, says Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy.
The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) managing director said many women wrongly believe they are not at risk because they feel healthy.
'The gap lies in the perception that I'm healthy, so I don't see the need for vaccination or screening.
'Another issue is ignorance – many assume HPV is only spread through sex, and since they have only one partner, they believe they're not at risk,' he said.
He was responding to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's statement that more than 10,500 Malaysian women tested positive for HPV over the past five years through cervical cancer screening efforts.
Dr Murallitharan also said many women are willing to spend on spas or beauty treatments but hesitate to invest in health screenings or vaccinations.
He said following the success of the 'Leaving No One Behind' HPV vaccination programme last year, NCSM plans to partner with general practitioners to offer 70% subsidies for screenings.
'We are changing our approach. Instead of waiting for patients to come to us, we'll go to them,' he said.
Echoing the concern, Malaysian Council for Child Welfare advisor Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim said many women do not take their health seriously enough.
'Many women don't realise that silent blood pressure or diabetes affects your health and even cancer can be invisible at times.
'As such, we need more advocacy and programmes for women on this, to emphasise that even if they feel well, they still need to get screening,' she added.
She said the HPV vaccine can prevent high-risk strains linked to cervical cancer.
'So we need to accelerate the intake of the vaccine and have access to more screening among women, since cervical cancer is preventable,' she added.
Dr Raj also recommended regular Pap smears for women aged 20 to 50, especially those who are sexually active.
She said HPV DNA self-sampling could help eliminate cultural taboos and expand access for rural and vulnerable groups.
Women's Aid Organisation executive director Nazreen Nizam said the conversation must shift from blaming women to addressing the systemic inequalities that limit access to healthcare.
She said despite the introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2019, the lack of consistent and widespread public education has left many women unaware of its importance or how to access it.
'The government must invest in sustained, multilingual and culturally relevant public awareness campaigns, and ensure that screening services and vaccines are free or subsidised for all women, regardless of their citizenship or location.
'One possibility is to introduce age-based automatic subsidies for screenings, integrated into existing public healthcare systems and even GP clinics, so that it becomes part of routine care.
'But access alone isn't enough – the healthcare environment must also be safe, non-judgmental and respectful of women's autonomy and lived realities,' she said.
HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and any sexually active person can contract it.
In Malaysia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44.
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