SIMANGGANG: Women across the country demonstrate strong awareness that cervical cancer can be identified and prevented through early detection.
Despite this knowledge, almost half are unwilling to participate in cervical cancer screening programmes.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, referenced findings from a National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) Public Opinion Survey conducted in January 2025, revealing that 95.7 per cent of participants understood that early screening enables cervical cancer detection and prevention.
“Despite these findings, merely 54.1 per cent of respondents had actually undergone cervical cancer screening.
“The remaining 45.9 per cent of women surveyed had never been screened. This represents a significant gap requiring collective action,” she stated during the launch of the 2026 National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month at Dewan Suarah Sri Aman here on Saturday.
LPPKN chairman Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim delivered the minister’s opening address.
She stressed that the 2026 programme strategy centres on HPV DNA testing, which detects the virus’s genetic material in cervical cell samples, implemented through the Community Empowerment via Ethnic Ambassadors initiative.
The initiative aims to eliminate cervical cancer among all women, with particular focus on indigenous and ethnic populations in rural and isolated regions.
“In Sarawak, approximately 50 ethnic ambassadors and representatives from non-governmental organisations have been selected for appointment and training to facilitate a minimum of five cervical cancer awareness sessions within their communities.
“These sessions will be conducted in native dialects and local languages to ensure effective communication, combat stigma and improve engagement with target audiences.
“We anticipate this approach will inspire other states to broaden their programme reach to benefit women throughout their regions,” she explained.
Nancy revealed that her ministry, in collaboration with LPPKN, continues expanding early screening access by offering complimentary HPV DNA testing for women between 30 and 65 years at the 50 LPPKN Nur Sejahtera Clinics nationwide.
“I urge all eligible women to seize this opportunity and arrange screening without delay.
“Starting January 2026, samples from Sarawak and Sabah women will be processed at the LPPKN Molecular Laboratory housed within the LPPKN Family Centre Sarawak at Wisma Sego, Kuching.
“This marks Sarawak’s inaugural laboratory dedicated to HPV DNA test analysis.
“This facility will accelerate result delivery times and enhance screening capacity, particularly benefiting Sarawak’s population,” she concluded.
Also present were Lingga assemblyman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor, LPPKN director-general Datuk Abdul Shukur Abdullah and Sri Aman District Officer Shariff Bujang.
