UNFPA Myanmar and the Burnet Institute, in collaboration with the Maternal and Reproductive Health Division of the Department of Health and the Myanmar Research Institute (MRI), supported the national coordination meeting on cervical cancer prevention and control programmes in Myanmar from 15-16 January 2015 in Nay Pyi Taw. During the meeting, strengths and limitations of current cervical cancer prevention and control programmes were discussed, as part of developing a strategic framework for cervical cancer prevention and control programmes. In Myanmar, cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women and the first most frequent cancer among women aged 15-44 years. An estimated 2,998 women die from the disease each year.

For the first time, the meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Health, clinicians, public health personnel, experts from development partners, UN agencies, professional associations, INGOs, NGOs, and research institutes to address the burden of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a condition that affects developing countries disproportionately, particularly the poor.

In his opening address, the Deputy Union Minister of Health, H.E. Dr. Win Myint, said that the meeting was a remarkable step forward in Myanmar’s efforts to improve women’s reproductive health. He urged participants to develop practical and sustainable recommendations for the future. The first day of the meeting focused on the review of cervical cancer control programmes in South East Asia and Myanmar, presentations on human papilloma virus infection and primary prevention strategies, and the secondary and tertiary prevention strategies for cervical pre-cancer and cancer. 

Participants divided in to three groups to suggest plans for: the primary prevention of HPV infection; screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions; and the tertiary prevention of advanced cancer cases. On the second day, participants continued to work in two groups to develop a national coordination group for cervical cancer prevention and control, and to develop a series of activities and research that will enhance cervical cancer prevention and control in the future. UNFPA will continue to collaborate with partners at the advocacy level, recognising the importance of having protocols in place for the prevention and control of reproductive tract cancers to improve women’s well-being.