Bahrain could serve as a regional training centre to support other Arab countries in strengthening cervical cancer prevention and early detection programmes, leading medical researchers have said, citing the kingdom’s strong screening record.
In a recent study titled ‘Cervical cancer in the Arab world: knowledge gaps, health system and cultural barriers, and the path forward’, researchers from the UK, Iraq, Oman and Portugal highlighted Bahrain as a model, noting that 44.1 per cent of women in their sampled group understood the importance of regular cervical cancer screening.
“Implementation success requires co-ordinated regional action with country-specific adaptations that reflect the substantial variation in baseline conditions and healthcare infrastructure,” the authors noted in their conclusions.
“Countries with higher screening coverage, such as Bahrain (44.1pc), should serve as regional training centres, while nations with documented success in educational interventions should lead knowledge transfer initiatives.”
The study, published in the peer-reviewed Cancer Treatment and Research Communications academic journal, found that across the Arab region, on average, cervical cancer screening rates remained low. It also noted that the key to reducing cervical cancer prevalence was through tackling Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus that infects the genital tract.
High-risk HPVs are responsible for nearly all cervical cancer.
“Many patients are still not aware of the screening methods available for cervical cancer and the link between HPV and cervical cancer – in fact 90pc of cervical cancer is caused by high-risk HPV,” American Mission Hospital obstetrician and gynecologist Dr Rajani Muthukrishnan told the GDN.
“Cervical cancer is a major public health problem and the fourth most common cause of cancer worldwide, with a woman dying from it every two minutes.
“It is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer because of its long latent phase (the precancerous stage that can be easily identified through proper screening and diagnosis), treatment options and the availability of potent HPV vaccine.”
According to Health Ministry researcher Basma Mahmood Al Saffar, Bahrain introduced the HPV vaccine in October 2023 for both Bahraini and resident adolescents aged 12 to 13 years of age. It is a mandatory two-dose vaccine regimen, delivered through schools across the kingdom.
“There are fears and misconceptions regarding the vaccines, like the short and long term implications on health mainly due to lack of knowledge, ignorance and social media,” Dr Muthukrishnan added.
“All of these can be addressed through gynecological visits, and patient information booklets.
“Like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bahrain should conduct more lectures and information campaigns during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January every year.”
Dr Muthukrishnan noted that cervical cancer and HPV testing is recommended for all sexually active women aged 25 and older, adding that patients are usually urged to get tested whenever they visit the doctor for other gynaecological issues.
“Cervical cancer is more likely in people with multiple sexual partners, as well as high risk HPV-positive patients, immunocompromised individuals, smokers, or those who have been on oral contraceptives for many years,” she added.
“Ideally screening should start in all sexually active women from the age of 25 and continue every three years until the age of 49.
“For women aged 50 and above, testing should take place every five years until they reach 65. At this point, they can discontinue if the previous three samples are negative.
“If pap smear is done, the screening interval should be every three years and if HPV is used as a primary test it should be done every five years.”
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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