To enable knowledge-sharing around cervical cancer screening especially the benefits of early screening with liquid-based cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing, BD (Becton, Dickinson, and Company) recently organised the ‘Shape the Future of Women’s Health’ a knowledge sharing session for pathologists, obstetricians, and gynecologists at Biratnagar, Nepal.

The Programme was organised in association with “Birat Medical College teaching hospital” , Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (NESOG Eastern chapter) & Association of Clinical Pathologists of Nepal (ACPN) and Everest Trade Link

The 2-day programme, attended by over 70 medical professionals, began with a pre-workshop on liquid-based cytology on day 1 followed by a CME on the importance of early diagnosis of cervical cancer. The importance and need for accurate screening and detection of cervical cancer, pre-cancerous lesions, atypical cells, and all other cytologic categories were discussed at the symposium. 

Commenting on the initiative, Atul Grover, Managing Director, BD India/South Asia said, “Cervical cancer is one of the preventable cancers, yet due to low awareness, timely diagnosis is often delayed. Through our Shape the Future of Cervical Cancer screening event, we are hopeful to have brought the spotlight on early screening benefits with the support and participation of leading Gynecologists, Obstetricians & Pathologists in the eastern part of Nepal.”

Cervical cancer continues to be the leading cancer among women in Nepal, with an annual incidence of 2,244 new cases and 1,493 deaths. Nepal has a cervical cancer incidence of 16.4 per 100,000 women, in contrast to the WHO's desired target of 4 per 100,000 women, nearly four times the target to eliminate the public health issue of cervical cancer. In Nepal, cervical cancer kills almost 11 women for every 100,000, even though cervical cancer is preventable with time-tested screening strategies.