Early awareness first line of defence against cervical cancer in young women, says Dr Wan Azizah
Health education and early awareness of cervical cancer are the primary line of defence in protecting young women from the disease, said Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The Prime Minister’s wife therefore called for strategic collaboration among the government, educational institutions, the corporate sector and civil society organisations to be further strengthened to ensure more young women have access to accurate, high-quality health information, particularly on cervical cancer.
She said this when officiating the ‘Perisai Kesihatan Wanita Muda 2026’, a health advocacy programme, at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai Besi here today.
Organised by the Women Innovation and Social Development Organisation Kuala Lumpur (WISDOM) in collaboration with several strategic partners, the programme brought together 200 female students, educators, representatives from government agencies and the corporate sector.
In a statement, WISDOM said the programme aims to enhance reproductive health literacy and raise awareness of the importance of HPV vaccination, personal hygiene, early screening and healthy lifestyle practices as preventive measures against cervical cancer.
Meanwhile, WISDOM chairman Akhmar Sari Mohd Nazri said the programme reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to empowering women through education, advocacy, community development and spiritual enrichment.
“Awareness of cervical cancer must be instilled from adolescence so that young women better understand the importance of prevention, HPV vaccination and early screening in safeguarding their health in the future,” she said.
The programme also received support from the Bandar Tun Razak and Cheras Information Department (JAPEN-BTRC), the Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament’s Office, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s Bandar Tun Razak branch and the Bandar Tun Razak Parliamentary Residents’ Representative Council (MPP).
WISDOM expressed hope that more initiatives of this kind would be expanded to schools and communities nationwide, particularly in rural and remote areas, to nurture a generation of women who are better informed, confident and proactive in safeguarding their health.
Source: Bernama
Category: MJN enews
