Cervical Cancer and HIV

UNAIDS Zambia

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 Cancer and Africa
• Cervical Cancer is the number-one cancer killer of women in
sub-Saharan Africa.
• More than 93,000 women develop cervical cancer each year
in this part of the continent, and an estimated 57,000 die
from the disease.
• Our region is predicted to have a greater than 85% increase in
cancer burden by 2030.
• Zambia is the 2nd highest in the region and 6th highest in the
world in contributing to cervical cancer.

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 What is Cervical Cancer

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of

more than 150 related viruses.
• Some HPV types can lead to cancer, especially
cervical cancer.

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 How HPV is transmitted?
• HPV is the most common sexually transmitted
infection (STI).
• HPV is transmitted through intimate skin-to-
skin contact.
• It is transmitted by vaginal, anal, or oral sex
with someone who has the virus.
• It is most commonly spread during vaginal or
anal sex.
• HPV can be passed even when an infected
person has no signs or symptoms.
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 Cervical Cancer and HIV
• HIV-infected women and adolescents who are
also infected with HPV virus are 4-5 times
more susceptible to cervical cancer than HIV-
negative women.
• HIV and HPV share a same set of risk factors.
• In Zambia a survey shows that HPV prevalence
among HIV-positive women was 80%,
compared to 55% of HIV-negative women.
• Screening for cervical cancer is of a particular
concern to HIV-infected women and
adolescents. 5
 How to Prevent CC?
Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable!

•There are vaccines that can prevent infection

with the most common types of HPV.
•Early detection is key to treatment
•Treatment is effective if done on time

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 HPV vaccination
• Cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented by
vaccinating the kids with three doses of HPV vaccines.
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine should be given to
children 9-13 years old as a series of three shots over 6
months to prevent from cervical cancer.
• This vaccine is preferably given to girls at this age but giving
vaccination to boys can help prevention of transmitting HPV to
their sexual partners.
• It is important to impart correct information to girls and boys
on the cervical cancer and its prevention;
• Important to advocate to the MOH on making the HPV
vaccines available free of cost as well as effectively
implementing CC screening program.
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 ZERO New HIV infections
Zero Discrimination
Zero AIDS-related Death

Prevention and treatment of cervical cancer contribute to

achieving the goal of Ending AIDS by 2030 as a public health
threat.

Thank you!