LAHORE: Punjab University Institute of Social and Cultural Studies Director Prof Dr Rubeena Zakar has said that child marriages must be controlled to avoid cervical cancer.

She said that although the exact incidence and prevalence of cervical cancer was not known, 20 women were diagnosed with the cancer daily. She was addressing an awareness seminar on prevention of cervical cancer in Pakistan. The session was attended by students, representatives of non-governmental organisations, academia as well as civil society organisations.

Dr Rubeena highlighted the importance of cervical cancer screening and prevention and said that the cancer could be prevented if risk factors could be controlled such as child marriages, smoking, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

She said that screening and early detection could prevent the growing deaths due to cancer.

Prof Dr Javeria Saleem discussed the risk factors of cervical cancer and how it could be protected through various vaccinations. She also apprised the audience of HPV acquisition and its prevention by vaccination during adolescence.

An informative video was also screened for the audience regarding signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2019