Cervical Cancer on the Rise in Pakistan: A Preventable Crisis (HPV Vaccination)
Cervical cancer, one of the most preventable yet deadly diseases, is rising at an alarming rate in Pakistan. Every year, over 5,000 women are diagnosed, and tragically, more than 3,000 lose their lives to this disease. In Pakistan having around 68.6 million women aged 15 and older at risk, the time to act is now.
Why Cervical Cancer Is Such a Serious Threat
The primary culprit behind the disease is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Persistent infection especially with high-risk strains can lead to cervical cancer. Globally, cervical cancer remains largely preventable through early detection and vaccination.
But in Pakistan, the combination of low awareness, lack of widespread screening, and social taboos around women’s reproductive health has resulted in cases being detected far too late. According to recent reports, many new cases go unreported due to limited access to health-care facilities, especially in rural areas.
What’s Changing 2025: A Year of Hope
2025 has brought a major step forward in Pakistan’s fight against cervical cancer. On 15 September 2025, the government in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) launched the country’s first nationwide HPV vaccination campaign. The target: vaccinate 9–14-year-old girls, a demographic where the vaccine is most effective.
Over 49,000 health workers have been trained to deliver vaccines, create awareness, and work in both urban and rural communities.
The campaign aims to reach 13 million girls across provinces including Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and regions of Kashmir.
Health experts are clear: vaccination alone won’t solve the problem it must be paired with widespread screening (e.g. PAP Smear or HPV testing), public awareness, and strengthened health-care infrastructure to truly turn the tide.
What Needs to Be Done Prevention, Awareness & Access
To really reduce cervical cancer deaths, Pakistan must:
- Make HPV vaccination widely available and accessible to all eligible girls.
- Expand regular screening programmes, especially in rural and underserved areas. Early detection dramatically increases chances of survival.
- Raise public awareness, dispelling myths and stigma around cervical cancer and women’s health.
- Strengthen health-care infrastructure labs, trained staff, cancer registries to track, detect, and treat cases more effectively.
The Stakes Are High But Hope Is Real
Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented and detected early with the right tools. Each preventable death is a personal tragedy a family lost, a life cut short. With coordinated action across vaccination, screening, education, and health-care access, thousands of lives could be saved in the coming years. Public health experts urge action now, before these numbers climb even higher.
This 2025 campaign is more than just a health drive it’s a chance to rewrite the future for millions of Pakistani women. The sooner we act, the better the chances for a healthier tomorrow.
