CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION, SCREENING UPTAKE, AND HEALTH SYSTEM RESPONSE IN EDO STATE: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of disease, mortality, and limited access to preventive healthcare services remain high. Nigeria continues to experience a substantial burden of cervical cancer despite ongoing national and international efforts aimed at improving prevention, screening, and treatment services. This review examined the current state of cervical cancer in Edo State, with emphasis on prevalence, awareness, screening uptake, HPV vaccination, healthcare policies, cancer registries, advocacy programmes, palliative care, and factors influencing cervical cancer screening practices among women of childbearing age. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Relevant articles, policy documents, and reports relating to cervical cancer etiology, screening, HPV testing, prevalence, awareness, and barriers affecting cervical cancer screening uptake in Nigeria and Edo State were reviewed.

Findings from the review indicate that persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus remains the major etiological factor associated with cervical cancer. Although cervical cancer awareness campaigns and HPV vaccination initiatives have increased in Edo State, knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening services remain relatively low, particularly in rural communities. Cytology-based screening remain the most accessible screening approaches in many healthcare facilities, while HPV DNA testing is still limited. The review further revealed that Edo State benefits from national cervical cancer control policies, cancer financing mechanisms, advocacy programmes, and the Edo- Benin Cancer Registry, which supports cancer surveillance and research activities within the state. However, challenges including poor screening uptake, inadequate palliative care coverage, financial barriers, limited healthcare infrastructure, and insufficient population-wide access to HPV DNA testing persist.

In conclusion, cervical cancer continues to pose a significant health burden in Edo State despite ongoing interventions. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding HPV vaccination and screening programmes, improving awareness, enhancing access to affordable cancer care, and increasing community-based interventions are essential for achieving cervical cancer elimination targets in Edo State and Nigeria at large.