Transforming cervical cancer screening in Namibia: The power of HPV DNA testing

● Roche hosts HPV Workshop in the fight against cervical cancer in Namibia

● Driving access to early screening and detection is critical in reaching WHO 90-70-90 goals

● Self-sampling technology is poised to transform cervical cancer prevention

Roche Diagnostics recently hosted a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Workshop to discuss Namibia’s cervical cancer elimination strategy. The discussion – focused on fostering collaboration with key stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to propel the country forward in eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 – included Her Excellency Monica Geingos, First Lady of Namibia; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), Rolf Hansen.

Every year, over 604,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 342,000 die from this preventable disease caused by infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV).1 Nearly nine out of 10 women who die from cervical cancer live in low- and middle-income countries. For patients living in areas with limited healthcare resources, increasing access to screening and decreasing barriers to sample collection are critical factors in preventing this disease.1

Namibia has a population of 855,578 women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate that every year, 375 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 214 die from the disease. And cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women in Namibia.2

Merilynn Steenkamp, General Manager South Africa & SADC countries, Roche Diagnostics says, “Leveraging Roche’s experience in high-burden disease testing and expanding self-testing diagnostics capacity, we are making critical progress in the fight against cervical cancer.”

Rolf Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), concludes, “This workshop has been an important milestone in the fight against cervical cancer. Through public-private partnerships and collaboration, the 90-70-90 goal is within reach. We are excited to see the progress unfold over the next seven years.”

The WHO recommends primary HPV screening as part of these targets, this along with self-sampling expands access to HPV screening options, reaching more women.3