Regular screening, early detection, vaccination, and access to information and services are crucial in the fight against HPV, said Taylor’s University Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab director and School of Biosciences lecturer Prof Dr Chong Pei Pei.
A Pap smear test, she said, is a simple, safe and cost-effective method for the early detection of cervical cancer, capable of identifying abnormal cells before they become cancerous.
“Low cervical cancer screening rates are largely a result of limited awareness and a lack of concerted public health education, particularly in low- and middle-income countries,” she said, adding that cultural sensitivities and feelings of embarrassment, especially related to male doctors conducting the procedure, play a major role in the low participation levels in screening.
Women over the age of 18, said National Cancer Society of Malaysia research coordinator Dr Kavinash Loganathan (pic), should undergo a Pap smear once every three years.
He, however, noted that only 55% of Malaysian women have had at least one Pap smear, with a non-adherence rate of 90.5%.
“This shows a lack of understanding about the importance of regular Pap smear screenings,” he said, stressing that Pap smears are important, regardless of sexual activity, as cervical cancer can develop through other means.
“The Pap smear is vital because it detects abnormal cervical cells before they turn into cancer. By identifying these cells at the precancerous stage, treatment can be administered to prevent cancer from developing,” he explained.
“It’s about detecting and stopping the development of cancerous cells before it’s too late,” he added.
Kavinash highlighted the importance of combining healthcare education with practical, real-life examples to improve awareness.
“It’s not enough to simply tell someone to ‘get screened regularly’ or to ‘manage your smoking and sugar intake’.
“Patients need to see their own test results and understand the real consequences of their choices.
“This is the importance of linking health education and literacy with actual real-life, personalised examples of the impact of adhering to screening tests, making them more likely to take proactive steps in managing their health and tackling infectious diseases and the cancers linked to them,” he concluded.
Prof Chong and Kavinash were speakers during “The Role of Pap Smears and Technological Advances in Enhancing Cervical Screening” panel session at the Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, on Aug 8.
The event was held in conjunction with the unveiling of the PapLite Pro – the first-of-its-kind cervical cancer screening innovation by the varsity’s Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab.
PapLite Pro addresses barriers such as the fear of discomfort during screening and improves visualisation of specific areas of the cervix, leading to enhanced precision in cell sampling and greater convenience for both women and medical practitioners.
