The Department of Medical Sciences is urging women aged between 30-60 to take part in routine cervical cancer screening after a report found around 10 million sexually active Thai women have never had a human papillomavirus (HPV) test.
According to department director-general Yongyot Thammawut, cervical cancer is among the most common cancers among Thai women. He said there are about 15 new cases per day, and the cancer kills about 2,200 Thai women each year.
Cervical cancer is mainly caused by an HPV infection, which is spread through unprotected intercourse and other high-risk sexual activities. However, the disease could be prevented by taking the HPV vaccine and regular screening, Dr Yongyot said.
The Public Health Ministry has been urging Thai women aged 30 or older to get a screening test for cervical cancer every five years, but not many of them have done so, he said.
According to last year's data from the ministry, Bangkok ranked lowest in the country in terms of the number of female residents who have received an HPV screening test, with only 30,000 female Bangkokians saying they get tested for HPV annually.
Another report by the Public Health Ministry revealed that more than 10 million Thai women have never received a screening test for cervical cancer.
As a result, the Department of Medical Sciences is moving to provide women with a more convenient way to get tested for cancer via HPV DNA self-sampling.
Female citizens aged between 30 and 60 years old who are registered with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) are eligible to receive a self-sampling kit free of charge via the government's Pao Tang application or at participating locations near their homes. Those living in Bangkok can also claim it at the Health Department's office.
The Department of Medical Sciences is partnering with the Health Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to promote the project and invite Bangkok's eligible female residents to participate.
The project is expected to encourage Thai women who have never received a screening test for cervical cancer to get one, as many of them may be embarrassed or afraid to do so.