Sri Lanka, Jan. 8 -- More than 600,000 cases of cervical cancer are reported worldwide each year, resulting in approximately 340,000 deaths, making it the fourth most common cancer among women globally.

Health experts emphasize that early detection is crucial in reducing the death toll.

Consultant Community Physician at the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Shashimali Wickramasinghe, said the disease is primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and can be effectively prevented or treated if detected early.

In Sri Lanka, cervical cancer ranks as the fifth most common cancer among women. A total of 1,226 cases were reported in 2021, with 179 deaths recorded during the same year.

Dr. Wickramasinghe noted that cer...