A few weeks after I arrived in the UK, I received a letter by post from the NHS. I was told to register with my local GP practice at my earliest convenience. As soon as I registered with my local hospital by following the easy step-by-step instructions, I received another letter. It was about my first appointment with my doctor. I was requested to visit my GP for a cervical screening test, formerly called a smear test. On the day of the appointment, as I got ready to leave for the appointment, I took a deep breath and uttered something in Urdu. My husband asked for an English translation. My sentence was this: ‘Khuda bachaye court, kachehri aur hospital say!’ and my translation was followed by a brief explainer:
‘Pakistanis say, May God protect us from doctors, lawyers, and the police, because of widespread public mistrust stemming from corruption, abuse, and mismanagement within these professions
Doctors may provide substandard care due to corruption; lawyers may use the legal system for personal vendettas, and police are frequently accused of abusing their authority, including torture and extortion.’
I reached the hospital with a pre-conceived notion about the kind of treatment my local GP practice team would give me. I was greeted with a big smile, and the medical staff was friendly, professional, and respectful. The nurse told me that the cervical screening was a routine test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer by detecting high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and any abnormal cell changes. She also said that the test was free and offered on the NHS to women with a cervix aged 25 to 64. The nurse then said she would take a sample of cells from your cervix with a soft brush, which would then be sent to a lab for testing. The test should take less than 5 minutes, and the whole appointment should be about 10 minutes. Also, it was entirely up to me I could choose whether or not I wished to take part. The 15-minute appointment went like a breeze. Not only did the entire experience make me feel at ease, but it also highlighted the importance of a woman’s health.
The cervical screening is not a test for cancer but a test to help prevent the disease. The first HPV vaccine, Gardasil, was licensed for use in the United States and Australia. The UK introduced its HPV vaccine program in 2008 for girls in year eight. By 2019, about 100 countries had introduced it into their national programs, with many low and middle-income countries starting programs more recently, often after 2017.
According to a recent study, funded by Cancer Research UK and led by experts at Queen Mary University of London, the HPV vaccine combined with cervical screening can dramatically reduce cervical cancer incidence to the point where almost no one develops it. More cases were prevented in the most deprived socio-economic groups in society – those often hit hardest by the disease.
Pakistan has launched its first nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to protect girls aged 9-14 from cervical cancer. The campaign aims to vaccinate 13 million girls across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Indeed, this initiative is a significant step towards reducing cervical cancer cases in the country. However, some parents and families choose not to opt for it. Some parents in Pakistan are hesitant to get their daughters vaccinated due to various reasons, including:
- Misconceptions and myths about the vaccine’s safety
and effectiveness - Fear of infertility or other health problems
- Lack of awareness about HPV and cervical cancer
- Cultural and social barriers
- Mistrust in vaccines due to past experiences or conspiracy theories
In Pakistan, cervical cancer is an ever-growing and significant health issue. With over 5,000 new cases reported annually and about 3,200 deaths per year, it needs our urgent attention. Moreover, Pakistan has a mortality rate of 64 per cent, which is one of the highest in South Asia. Some Pakistanis believe in conspiracy theories about HPV vaccines, such as:
- Vaccines are designed to control population growth or
reduce fertility - Vaccines contain harmful ingredients or ‘Western’
technology - Vaccines are part of a plot to spread diseases or harm
children
Instead of blindly following a myth or rumours, we should approach this topic with an open mind. Research has shown that HPV vaccination can significantly reduce cervical cancer cases. For example, in the UK alone, where HPV vaccination began in 2008, cervical cancer cases have dropped by up to 90 per cent among vaccinated cohorts. This demonstrates the effectiveness of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer.
As a female, I believe it is essential to approach topics like HPV vaccination with an open mind, armed with accurate information and a willingness to unlearn fallacies and learn facts. By doing our research and understanding the facts, we can make informed decisions about our health and well-being. Let us prioritise our health, challenge misconceptions, and empower ourselves with knowledge. By doing so, we can take control of our bodies and make choices that benefit our future.
The writer is a media person, filmmaker, and translator.
