In Asaba, Delta State, a health advocacy initiative led by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Vito Corsica Deck, marked the 2026 World Health Day with a wide-ranging awareness campaign under the global theme “Together for Science.” The programme focused on challenging stigma, improving public understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and encouraging preventive healthcare practices among women.
Speaking during the initiative, association representative Emeka Maduka urged residents to abandon misconceptions that discourage women from seeking timely medical help, warning that misinformation and stigma continue to contribute significantly to late-stage cancer diagnoses. He emphasized that cervical cancer remains largely preventable and treatable when detected early, yet many cases in Nigeria still present at advanced stages due to fear, neglect, and lack of awareness.
A medical briefing delivered during the programme by Dr. Dumbiri Melvin of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, highlighted the growing burden of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa. He noted that cervical cancer ranks among the most common cancers affecting women in the region, with hundreds of thousands of deaths recorded annually, despite the availability of effective prevention tools.
Health experts at the event explained that HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer, is widely transmitted and can affect women regardless of marital status or perceived risk level. They further stressed that factors such as weakened immunity, co-existing infections, and delayed screening significantly increase vulnerability to disease progression.
The advocacy session also addressed widespread myths, including the misconception that cervical cancer affects only older women. Experts clarified that women between the ages of 30 and 50 are particularly at risk, underscoring the importance of routine screening even in the absence of symptoms.
Attention was also drawn to the World Health Organization’s global elimination strategy, which targets 90 percent HPV vaccination coverage for girls by age 15, regular screening for women by ages 35 and 45, and effective treatment for those diagnosed with precancerous or cancerous conditions.
Medical practitioners at the event encouraged wider uptake of preventive services such as Pap smears and HPV DNA testing, both available at major health facilities including the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, and Asaba Specialist Hospital. They stressed that early detection remains the most effective tool in reducing mortality.
The programme concluded with a renewed call for public education, expanded vaccination coverage for both boys and girls, and stronger community engagement to ensure that cervical cancer becomes a preventable rather than fatal disease in Nigeria.