Investigator
University Of The East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOFOG)'s efforts in the cervical cancer elimination program in the Asia‐Pacific
AbstractCervical cancer poses a significant health burden, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries, where access to screening and treatment remains limited. Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOFOG)'s response, guided by the World Health Organization's global strategy, emphasizes three key targets: achieving high HPV vaccination coverage among girls, ensuring widespread screening with high‐performance tests, and guaranteeing timely treatment for precancerous and cancerous lesions. AOFOG supports member countries through initiatives such as educational campaigns, guidelines development, and collaboration with local and international partners. Variations in screening methods across AOFOG member countries reflect diverse socioeconomic contexts and healthcare infrastructures, ranging from HPV testing in countries like Australia and Malaysia to cytology and visual inspection methods in others. Innovations such as HPV self‐testing and AI‐enhanced screening are emerging to improve accessibility and accuracy, addressing barriers like stigma and resource scarcity. Despite challenges, AOFOG remains committed to reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality through coordinated regional efforts, aiming for equitable access to preventive measures and treatment across the diverse landscape of the Asia‐Pacific region.
The AOFOG recommendations on human papillomavirus vaccination in the Asia‐Pacific region
AbstractCervical cancer remains a disease burden in Asia. The Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology envisages a need to produce a set of recommendations on the implementation of human papilloma virus vaccination program for both lower‐middle‐income countries (LMICs) and high‐income countries (HICs), with an attempt to harmonize the practices yet allow flexibility to cater for different cultures, religions, needs and background of individual countries/cities. International guidelines and literature were sought, and recommendations were made in seven selected areas, including (i) the target groups for vaccination, (ii) the doses of vaccination including the use of single‐dose vaccination, (iii) the types of vaccines, (iv) suggestions for special populations including those with previous HPV infection, human immunodeficiency virus carriers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer group, (v) inter‐changeability and the need of revaccination/booster, (vi) novel technologies and vaccines, and (vii) public education.
