Malaysia is making a significant step to eradicate cervical cancer, with early detection, as Etiqa and the Rose Foundation kick off the sixth phase of their Free Cervical Screening Program reaching out to more vulnerable communities such as women with disabilities.
It is led by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib in Kuala Lumpur with a RM1.2m donation from Etiqa. This program is designed to increase access to cervical cancer screening and promote more frequent testing of women in order to decrease the burden of one of the most preventable types of cancer.
Although most cases of cervical cancer in Malaysia are potentially preventable by regular screening and prompt treatment, the condition is still a major health challenge. Approximately 7% of Malaysian women are thought to be infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV), the major cause of cervical cancer. But only half of Malaysian women have ever been screened for cervical cancer and there are still gaps in access, fear and social stigma that discourages many women from getting early diagnosis.
The Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles to Cervical Screening) initiative has reached over 28,700 women nationwide since its inception with the partnership between Etiqa and the Rose Foundation in 2019. The programme has detected 1,488 women with HPV infection and 88% were successfully referred for further evaluation and treatment in government hospitals and clinics.
Key Highlights:
- Etiqa expands free cervical cancer screening to underserved Malaysian women
- The program ROSE has screened 28,700+ women since 2019
- HPV self-sampling boosts early detection and supports cancer elimination
At the launch, the Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib emphasized that awareness and early action are the key elements in preventing cervical cancer, not treating it after symptoms appear.
The battle against cervical cancer can start long before a woman walks through the door of a hospital or clinic, it begins with knowledge, early screening and the confidence to take action before cancer can even start, she said.
There is a need to increase participation in screening for cervical cancer in Malaysia, as almost 65% of women have not had screening in the last three years, Hanifah said. Better working relationships between the government, the private sector and community groups are crucial to improving the availability of preventive healthcare, she added.
HPV DNA self-sampling has also been emphasized as a convenient and private screening option, which can help women avoid embarrassment, fear, and limited access to health care facilities.
The Rose Foundation has a continuous commitment to make sure that no woman suffers from cervical cancer alone, its Chairman Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said. She explained that Program ROSE provides women with a complete screening pathway, from self-sampling to validated laboratory testing, to a digital health registry and personalised follow-up care, to ensure timely treatment if needed.
The new iteration of the program will prioritise reaching the hard to reach population, such as women with disabilities, and bolster Malaysia's shift to HPV DNA screening as a component of the country's cervical cancer elimination initiative, according to Adeeba.
Etiqa Life Insurance Berhad CEO Leong Su Yern reiterated the insurer's commitment to address financial barriers that hinder women from availing life-saving screening services. Early detection has the added benefit of better health outcomes as well as decreased emotional and financial distress of advanced cervical cancer.
“Each woman who is screened is a woman empowered, each woman who is protected is a family strengthened, and healthier families strengthen communities and a stronger nation,” Leong said.
The program will be expanded to reach more Malaysian women, incorporate innovative self-screening approaches and support the ongoing partnership of public and private sectors to ensure timely access to cervical cancer screening and follow-up services, which will further progress the country's bid to eradicate cervical cancer as a public health problem.
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