Ulaanbaatar, April 8: This year, Mongolia plans to screen at least 20,000 women aged 30 to 40 for cervical cancer, primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This information was provided by local media citing the country’s Ministry of Health.
Cervical cancer is preventable, making screening essential. To this end, the Ministry of Health has urged women in the targeted age group to participate in the program.
According to the National Center for Infectious Diseases, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Mongolia and the fourth most common cancer overall in the country. In 2025, Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, recorded 551 new cases of cervical cancer and 171 related deaths.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. Almost all sexually active individuals will encounter it at some point in their lives, but it usually shows no clear symptoms. HPV can affect the skin, genitals, and throat. While condoms can help prevent the infection, they do not provide complete protection as they do not cover all genital skin.
The good news is that HPV often resolves on its own without treatment. However, in some cases, it can lead to genital warts or abnormal cells, which may eventually develop into cancer. This is why vaccination and timely screening are crucial.
The HPV vaccine can prevent cancers caused by this virus. It does not contain any live virus or viral DNA, so it cannot cause cancer or HPV-related diseases. However, the vaccine does not treat existing infections but prevents future cancers.
Currently, cervical cancer is the only HPV-related cancer for which screening tests are available. Screening means checking for the disease before symptoms appear. The goal is to catch early-stage abnormal cells and treat them to prevent cancer development. Therefore, regular screening is essential.
HPV can cause not only cervical cancer but also other less common cancers in both men and women, such as anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat, and penile cancers. Thus, awareness about HPV and regular vaccination and screening is vital for health.
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My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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