What is National Women’s Checkup Week?
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National Women’s Checkup Week (NWCW) is an awareness initiative with a dedicated call-to-action to remind women of all ages to prioritise their cervical health by scheduling regular check-up appointments with their healthcare providers.
The NWCW campaign goal is to educate, empower and mobilise women in Malaysia to undergo primary screening HPV tests for early detection, facilitating prevention of cervical cancer.
Key facts about cervical cancer
Each year, more than two million women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.1
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it still affects thousands of women every year2.
By getting screened regularly, the risk of developing cervical cancer, and other forms of cancer, can be significantly reduced.
At a Glance
Since 2023, Roche has championed the #EveryWoman initiative to ensure all women have access to early and accurate health screenings.
The #MAKETHEMOSTIMPORTANTDATE movement aims to empower women to take control of their health by collaborating with community groups, businesses, and healthcare providers.
National Women's Checkup Week will run in May, with activities planned during the month
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Every 3 minutes, a woman dies of cervical cancer in Asia5, 6.
Regular cervical screening can save lives! Empower yourself and the women in your life to get checked today.
#NationalWomensCheckupWeek #ShowUpForHerHealth
#MaketheMostImportantDate
#HPVScreening #CervicalCancerAwareness
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With early detection via regular screening, cervical cancer is preventable.
Besides a nail, hair or spa treatment, the best date you can make with your BFF is an appointment for HPV/cervical screening. You can potentially save your BFF’s life.
#MaketheMostImportantDate
#NationalWomensCheckupWeek #ShowUpForHerHealth
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Cervical cancer isn't just a woman's problem — it's everyone's problem. Together, we share the responsibility to raise awareness, support prevention, and advocate for better health outcomes for women. Let's unite to #ShowUpForHerHealth and make a difference in the fight against cervical cancer.
#NationalWomensCheckupWeek
#MaketheMostImportantDate
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When women are healthy, families are kept together, and society and nations thrive.
Schedule that important cervical cancer screening for yourself or the women in your life.
#NationalWomensCheckupWeek #ShowUpForHerHealth
#MaketheMostImportantDate
National Women’s Checkup Week plays a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of regular health screenings for better health outcomes.
Our Partners
Alpro Clinics
Care Clinics
Cyto DR+ Clinics
FWD
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Gleneagles Hospital Medini Johor
J.L.Lee Women Specialist Clinic
Klinik AK & Surgeri
Klinik Famili
Klinik Permaisuri
Klinik & Rumah Bersalin Tawau
KMI Tawau Medical Centre
LifeCare Diagnostics Medical Centre
MediLove Clinics
Miri City Medical Centre
Pantai Hospital Ampang
Pantai Hospital Cheras
Pantai Hospital Klang
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Pelita Clinic
PERKESO
Premier Integrated Lab
Prime Borneo Clinic (Krokop)
Prince Court Medical Centre
ROSE Foundation
Timberland Medical Centre
Wo Clinic
References
Ginsburg O, Bray F, Coleman MP, Vanderpuye V, Eniu A, Kotha SR, Sarker M, Huong TT, Allemani C, Dvaladze A, Gralow J, Yeates K, Taylor C, Oomman N, Krishnan S, Sullivan R, Kombe D, Blas MM, Parham G, Kassami N, Conteh L. The global burden of women's cancers: a grand challenge in global health. Lancet. 2017 Feb 25;389(10071):847-860. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31392-7. Epub 2016 Nov 1. PMID: 27814965; PMCID: PMC6191029.
Ginsburg O, Bray F, Coleman MP, Vanderpuye V, Eniu A, Kotha SR, Sarker M, Huong TT, Allemani C, Dvaladze A, Gralow J, Yeates K, Taylor C, Oomman N, Krishnan S, Sullivan R, Kombe D, Blas MM, Parham G, Kassami N, Conteh L. The global burden of women's cancers: a grand challenge in global health. Lancet. 2017 Feb 25;389(10071):847-860. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31392-7. Epub 2016 Nov 1. PMID: 27814965; PMCID: PMC6191029.
Bruni L, Albero G, Serrano B, et al. ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (HPV Information Centre). Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in Singapore. Summary Report, 10 March 2023. https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/SGP.pdf.Accessed 11 May 2024.
Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific Women’s Health Survey 2024 (Data on file)
1 World Economic Forum. Women’s cancer is getting worse in the Asia Pacific – here’s what we can do. Available via: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/10/womens-cancer-is-getting-worse-in-asia-pacific-heres-what-to-do/
International Agency for Research on Cancer. World Health Organisation. GLOBOCAN (Cervix Uteri). Available via: https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/cancers/23-cervix-uteri-fact-sheet.pdf
Getting screened for HPV and cervical cancer is one of the most important things you can do for your health. All women above a certain age, even those in monogamous relationships or with the same long-term partner, need to be tested for HPV. A positive test result doesn't indicate when you got the infection or from whom, and some research suggests that HPV can lay dormant for some time.1 Testing positive is not a reflection on you, your partner or your lifestyle. So, while testing HPV positive doesn't necessarily mean you have, or will develop cervical cancer, it does mean you could be at an increased risk. It's important to know which HPV type you have to fully understand your risk.
Even if you received the HPV vaccine, you should still be screened for cervical cancer.
Although the available HPV vaccines cover some high-risk HPV types (including HPV 16 and HPV 18, the two highest risk types), they do not cover all high-risk HPV types. Therefore, experts still recommend that you continue to get screened regularly for cervical cancer even after you’ve received the vaccine.6
PAP Test vs. HPV DNA Test: Consult your healthcare provider
Are you eligible to collect your own sample for cervical screening?
Self-collection for cervical screening is an option to be considered for women who are:
30 years old and above4
Sexually active or have been sexually active11
Not pregnant11
The above is not an exhaustive list. Speak to your healthcare provider to understand better if collecting your own sample for a HPV DNA screening is the right option for you. Your healthcare provider will provide personalised recommendations and further information pertaining to cervical screenings
Get comfortable when collecting your own sample
You may choose to stand or be seated when collecting your own vaginal sample as you should feel comfortable during the self-collection process.
Here are some positions you can get into to help you with collecting your own vaginal sample.
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Standing
Stand with one leg raised to rest your one leg on a stool15.
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Seated
Sit on the toilet bowl with your legs slightly spread open15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can viral infections such as HPV really lead to cancer?
Persistent HPV infection with high-risk strains is the cause of 99.7% of cervical cancer cases18. HPV is a common infection with at least 4 out of 5 women would have had a HPV infection by the age of 5019. The virus is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact such as through sexual intercourse20.
Most HPV infections resolve by themselves within two years but some of them can last longer and cause cancer including cervical cancer21. It takes about 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop among women with a normal immune system8.
HPV DNA screening can help with early detection and prevention of cervical cancer by detecting the presence of HPV, including high-risk HPV strains14.
Will a healthcare provider explain to me about my self-collected cervical screening test results?
It is important to speak with your healthcare provider about your self-collected cervical screening result. This conversation is essential to help you understand what the results mean and whether any follow-up is needed.
If your HPV DNA screening results are negative, you will be advised to repeat the HPV DNA screening in 5 years4.
On the other hand, if your HPV DNA screening results are positive or abnormal, this indicates that the screening has identified the presence of HPV22 but it is important to take note that a HPV DNA screening does not directly indicate if you have cancer14. Instead, it identifies the presence of HPV, including high-risk HPV strains that increase your risk of developing cervical cancer14. You may be required to return for a Pap test22, which looks for abnormal changes in the cervical cells14.
(The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice)
Can a healthcare provider collect my sample for the HPV DNA screening instead of me?
Sure, the choice is yours. Speak to your healthcare provider if you prefer to have your healthcare provider collect your sample for your HPV DNA screening.
How does a woman know if she has cervical cancer?
During the early stages of cervical cancer, there are no symptoms23. Symptoms of cervical cancer such as vaginal bleeding between periods and pelvic pain during sex usually present itself after the cancer has progressed24.
One way to detect cervical cancer at its early stage is through a cervical screening. Through this screening your healthcare provider will be able to identify early changes in the cells as well as the presence of HPV strains. As a matter of fact, cervical screening can detect cervical cancer at its pre-cancer stage, hence making it possible for you to prevent it9.
Is the swab for collecting my sample a ‘one-size-fits-all’?
The provided swab is a vaginal swab, designed for easy and comfortable self-collection. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions provided by your healthcare provider to get correct results and avoid having to repeat the test.
What happens if my self-collected HPV test results are positive?
You will be asked to return to your healthcare provider so that a sample can be collected by your healthcare provider for further screening21. If HPV strains 16 and 18 were detected (these strains are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers)25 in your HPV DNA screening results, your healthcare provider will follow-up with another type of test for cervical screening, known as colposcopy. If other HPV strains were detected, a Pap test will be conducted and the next steps will be advised accordingly depending on the results22.
If I am in a wheelchair, will it be possible for me to consider collecting my own vaginal sample for HPV DNA screening?
There are suggestions that self-collection for HPV DNA screening might be an option as there is no need for a speculum examination. If you are in a wheelchair or with disabilities, it would be best for you to discuss with your healthcare provider about the option to collect your own vaginal sample for cervical screening26.
How can I prevent cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers10. Some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer includes:
Getting vaccinated against HPV27.
Attending your routine cervical screening27.
Follow through with the necessary screening and steps as guided by your healthcare provider if your cervical screening results are abnormal27.
References
Rositch AF, Burke AE, Viscidi RP, Silver MI, Chang K, Gravitt PE. Contributions of Recent and Past Sexual Partnerships on Incident Human Papillomavirus Detection: Acquisition and Reactivation in Older Women. Cancer Res. 2012;72(23):6183–90.
Walboomers JMM, Jacobs MV, Manos MM, Bosch FX, Kummer JA, Shah KV, et al. Human papillomavirus is a necessary cause of invasive cervical cancer worldwide. J Pathology. 1999;189(1):12–9.
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/pap-test (accessed 13 January 2021).
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. “What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?”. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/risk_factors.htm#:~:text=Almost%20all%20cervical%20cancers%20are%20caused%20by%20human %20papillomavirus%20(HPV,cause%20genital%20or%20skin%20warts.(accessed on September 19, 2023)
Singhealth. “Cervix cancer/cervical cancer-What it is”. https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/cervix-cervical-cancer#:~:text=Cervical%20cancer%20is%20the%2010th,in%20causing%20most%20cervical%20cancer(accessed 19 November 2023).
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. “What should I know about cervical cancer screening?”. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm#:~:text=The%20HPV%20test%20looks%20for,they%20are%20not%20treated %20appropriately.(accessed on 30 October 2023).
World Health Organization. “Cervical Cancer”. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer#:~:text= It%20takes%2015%20to%2020,those%20with%20untreated%20HIV%20infection.(accessed 26 October 2023).
Cancer.net. “Cervical cancer: Screening and prevention”. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/cervical-cancer/screening-and-prevention(accessed on September 19, 2023).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Cervical Cancer Highly Preventable” https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/cervical-cancer/ndex.html#:~:text=Up%20to%2093%25%20of%20cervical,that%20cause%20most%20cervical%20cancers(accessed on September 19, 2023).
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. “Self-collection for the cervical screening test”. https://www.health.gov.au/self-collection-for-the-cervical-screening-test(accessed on 18 October 2023).
American Cancer Society. “HPV and HPV Testing”. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv/hpv-and-hpv-testing.html#:~:text=The%20HPV%20test%20looks%20for,risk%20of%20developing%20cervical%20cancer.(accessed 8 November 2023)
WebMD. Pap Smear”. https://www.webmd.com/women/pap-smear (accessed 8 November 2023)
Mayo Clinic. “HPV Test”. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hpv-test/about/pac-20394355(accessed on 17 October 2023)
Canadian Family Physician. “Clinician acceptability of self-collected human papillomavirus swabs as a primary cervical cancer screening method”. https://www.cfp.ca/content/68/2/e31(accessed on 19 November 2023).
Cobas HPV qualitative nucleic acid test for use on the cobas 6800/8800 Systems, USA: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.; Doc Rev 8.0 (accessed on 7 November 2023).
National Library of Medicine. “HPV-Based Self-Sampling in Cervical Cancer Screening: An Updated Review of the Current Evidence in the Literature”. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10046242/(accessed on 19 November 2023).
National Library of Medicine. “Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer”. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31500479/#:~:text=Cervical%20cancer%20is%20by%20far,human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20infection.(accessed 26 October 2023).
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. “Basic information about cancer and HPV”. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/index.htm#:~:text=By%20age%2050%2C%20at%20least,and%20often%20has%20no%20symptoms. (accessed on 26 October 2023).
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. “HPV infections are common”. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about-hpv.html#:~:text=Nearly%20everyone%20will%20get%20HPV,teens%2C%20become%20infected%20each%20year.(accessed 17 October 2023).
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. “HPV infections are common”. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about-hpv.html#:~:text=Nearly%20everyone%20will%20get%20HPV,teens%2C%20become%20infected%20each%20year.(accessed 17 October 2023).
National Cervical Screening Program. “Understanding the National Cervical Screening Program Management Pathway: A Guide for Healthcare Providers”. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/07/national-cervical-screening-program-understanding-the-national-cervical-screening-program-management-pathway.pdf(accessed on September 19, 2023).
Health Hub. “Cervical cancer”. https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/topic_cervical_cancer(accessed 8 November 2023)
National Cancer Institute. “Cervical Cancer Symptoms”. https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/symptoms(accessed on September 19, 2023).
National Library of Medicine. “Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus subtypes 16 and 18 among Yemeni Patients with Cervical Cancer”. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6373819/#:~:text=HPV%20types%20(16%20and%2018,ca rcinogenic%20than%20other%20HPV%20types(accessed on September 19, 2023).
National Library of Medicine. “Cervical Cancer Screening for Women With Disabilities: Time for a New Approach?” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30161053/(accessed 19 November 2023).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “What can I do to reduce my risk of cervical cancer?” https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/prevention.htm.(accessed on September 19, 2023).
Arbyn et al BMJ 2018; 363 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4823(accessed 19 November 2023).