Cervical cancer in Malaysia

Abstract

AbstractCervical cancer is preventable due to effective screening to detect pre‐malignant lesion, and vaccination against its causative organism namely human papillomavirus (HPV). This review article described current situation of cervical cancer in Malaysia. There is decreasing cervical cancer incidence in the country, with age‐standardized rate of 10.3, versus 14.1 and 7.5 per 100 000 for worldwide and high‐income countries, respectively. School‐based HPV vaccination is part of national immunization since 2010, with yearly coverage rate of 83%–91%. The figure declined during coronavirus disease‐19 pandemic due to scarce vaccine supply and movement‐control order, resulting in about 500 000 students missing their course, with catch‐up program currently onboard. Opportunistic cervical screening program started in 1960s with cervical smear cytology, which is succeeded by HPV DNA screening since 2020. Cervical cytology remains indispensable  screening method in healthcare facility without access to HPV test kit, and used to triage high‐risk HPV positive with abnormal cytology that require urgent colposcopy. Computed tomography is the main imaging modality to assess local and distal extent of cervical cancer. Primary surgical treatment for early‐stage cancer is performed by trained gynecologic oncologist, with long waiting list for radiation therapy in locally advanced disease due to limited available public facility. There is restricted access to targeted therapy due to high treatment cost. In conclusion, Malaysia is heading toward cervical cancer elimination through rigorous investment in primary and secondary prevention, and increase in public engagement with the support of government policy enforcement.