Cervical Cancer Summit Unveils National Essay Competition On HPV

The Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria (SSCCEN) has launched a national essay competition aimed at tackling misinformation surrounding the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Organised by the youth engagement committee of SSCCEN, the initiative encourages adolescent girls to raise awareness about HPV, cervical cancer, and the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease.

The competition theme is “Empowering Families and Youth: HPV Vaccination as a Pathway to Prevent Cervical Cancer and Foster Positive Health Discussions.”

The competition seeks to engage youths in dispelling myths about the HPV vaccine and educating communities about its life-saving benefits, particularly in preventing cervical cancer, the second most prevalent cancer among Nigerian women. Despite the introduction of the HPV vaccine into Nigeria’s immunization program, vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation remains a challenge.

Entries for the competition close on October 13, 2024, with winners announced two weeks after. Awards will be presented during the opening ceremony of the 2nd Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria on November 21, 2024.

The SSCCEN, led by a multi-sectoral collaboration, aims to commemorate cervical cancer elimination annually. The 2024 summit will focus on the theme “Strengthening Collaboration Towards Achieving Cervical Cancer Elimination Targets in Nigeria.” Key events include a pre-summit workshop and a keynote address by Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, a global cancer advocate.