An awareness event on human papillomavirus (HPV) and the importance of vaccination highlighted alarming national figures: about 20 out of 100 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, speakers said, and Mongolia ranks among the countries with the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
Associate Professor Dr. N.Erdenekhuu spoke on “The Importance of Immunization against Human Papillomavirus,” stressing that vaccination is the only scientifically proven method to prevent most cervical cancers. He warned that Mongolia’s cervical cancer mortality rate is roughly twice the world average, and that about 60% of women diagnosed in the country die within a year because the disease is often detected late.
HPV is the cause of 94–96% of cervical cancers. Most people, around eight in 10, become infected with HPV at some point; there are more than 200 virus types, but types 16, 18 and 45 account for 70–80% of cervical cancers. If a healthy immune system clears the infection within 1–3 years, no cancer develops; however 5–10% of persistent infections can progress to cancer within a decade and spread to other organs.
Early screening and vaccination of girls aged 9–14 are the most effective strategies to reduce cervical cancer. Mongolia added the HPV vaccine to the national routine immunization program in 2024, covering children aged 11, and family clinics now offer cervical screening for women aged 30–60.
About 60 people attended the event and received information on HPV infection and vaccination. Health experts reiterated the call for wider vaccine uptake and early screening to reverse Mongolia’s high cervical cancer burden.
An awareness event on human papillomavirus (HPV) and the importance of vaccination highlighted alarming national figures: about 20 out of 100 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, speakers said, and Mongolia ranks among the countries with the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
Associate Professor Dr. N.Erdenekhuu spoke on “The Importance of Immunization against Human Papillomavirus,” stressing that vaccination is the only scientifically proven method to prevent most cervical cancers. He warned that Mongolia’s cervical cancer mortality rate is roughly twice the world average, and that about 60% of women diagnosed in the country die within a year because the disease is often detected late.
HPV is the cause of 94–96% of cervical cancers. Most people, around eight in 10, become infected with HPV at some point; there are more than 200 virus types, but types 16, 18 and 45 account for 70–80% of cervical cancers. If a healthy immune system clears the infection within 1–3 years, no cancer develops; however 5–10% of persistent infections can progress to cancer within a decade and spread to other organs.
Early screening and vaccination of girls aged 9–14 are the most effective strategies to reduce cervical cancer. Mongolia added the HPV vaccine to the national routine immunization program in 2024, covering children aged 11, and family clinics now offer cervical screening for women aged 30–60.
About 60 people attended the event and received information on HPV infection and vaccination. Health experts reiterated the call for wider vaccine uptake and early screening to reverse Mongolia’s high cervical cancer burden.