The Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria (SSCCEN) has launched a national essay competition aimed at addressing misinformation about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The initiative, developed by SSCCEN’s youth engagement committee, seeks to empower adolescent girls in raising awareness about HPV, cervical cancer, and dispelling myths surrounding HPV vaccines.
Dr. Peace Shalom, National Director of the Technical Office on Cancer Awareness and Advocacy (TOCAA), chairs the committee. TOCAA is one of the committees under the Nigeria Medical Students Association (NiMSA). Eunice Okomudo, Lead Youth Advocate for the End Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative (ECCNI), serves as the committee’s secretary. Other members include Yasir Ya’u Nuhu, a young cancer advocate, and Adeiza Umoru, a skilled programmer and ICT specialist.
The competition’s theme, “Empowering Families and Youth: HPV Vaccination as a Pathway to Prevent Cervical Cancer and Foster Positive Health Discussions,” was chosen to highlight the importance of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer and promoting healthy family discussions.
Dr. Ishak Lawal, Secretary of the Scientific Committee, explained the significance of the HPV vaccine, noting that it is primarily given to adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer in adulthood. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria, causing over 7,000 preventable deaths annually.
The essay competition aims to counter vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, which have hampered the uptake of HPV vaccines. By encouraging youth to seek accurate information, the competition hopes to equip them with the knowledge needed to challenge misconceptions.
A panel of judges comprising representatives from cancer civil society organizations, government offices, and ministries of education, health, and youth will evaluate the entries. Awards will be presented to the winners during the 2nd Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria, scheduled for November 21, 2024.
SSCCEN, a public-private partnership, aims to foster collaboration across sectors in the fight to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria. The summit, now an annual event, was first held in 2023 as a side meeting at the International Cancer Week and is rebranded to commemorate Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action every November 17.