Prime Highlight
- The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has launched a new initiative urging women to prioritise regular cervical cancer screening, even if they feel healthy.
- The campaign highlights that early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes, as cervical cancer is preventable and highly treatable when diagnosed early.
Key Facts
- Women aged 25 to 65 are recommended to undergo cervical screening at least once every five years, with HPV vaccination available for girls, boys, and women up to 45.
- Infection with certain types of HPV is linked to over 90% of cervical cancer cases, underscoring the importance of vaccination and routine screening.
Background
The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has launched a new cervical cancer prevention initiative as part of Cervical Cancer Month, urging women to prioritise regular screening even if they feel healthy. The campaign is part of ADPHC’s ongoing public health drive titled “Check What Really Matters.”
Health officials warned that cervical cancer often develops without visible symptoms in its early stages. ADPHC said this makes routine screening essential, as early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes. The centre stressed that cervical cancer is both preventable and highly treatable when diagnosed early.
The campaign encourages people to get screened on time by addressing common worries like fear, embarrassment and not knowing enough. It follows ADPHC’s breast cancer awareness efforts held in October 2025 and continues the authority’s focus on preventive healthcare
Cervical cancer screening is available through IFHAS-approved healthcare providers across Abu Dhabi. ADPHC said it is also equipping doctors and healthcare workers with resources to help them discuss screening more openly and confidently with patients.
ADPHC highlighted research showing that infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to more than 90 percent of cervical cancer cases. Officials said this underlines the importance of both HPV vaccination and regular screening as key prevention tools.
The campaign encourages HPV vaccination for both girls and boys. Vaccines are available through school-based programmes, while catch-up vaccination is offered to women aged 27 to 45 after consulting a healthcare professional.
Health authorities recommend that women between the ages of 25 and 65 undergo cervical screening at least once every five years. ADPHC said regular check-ups can detect early changes before cancer develops.
By promoting awareness and access to screening, ADPHC aims to protect women’s health and reduce the long-term impact of cervical cancer across the emirate.
