Jan 27, Kathmandu:  The government has asked all women over 30 years of age to undergo regular cervical screening. The Ministry of Health and Population has issued a notification, asking all women over 30 years of age to undergo regular check-ups to avoid cervical cancer by identifying the disease at an early stage.

According to the ministry, cervical cancer screening is being provided free of cost through VIA technology in government health institutions. In addition, the ministry said that cervical cancer can be prevented by vaccination against the human papillomavirus. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nepal.

According to doctors, the main cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus infection. It is transmitted through sexual contact. Having unprotected sex with many people, marrying at a young age or having sex from a young age, having children at a young age, having many children, having frequent abortions, smoking, malnourished women, and women with HIV infection are at risk of cervical cancer.

Its main symptoms are the appearance of blood during sexual intercourse, i.e., irregular bleeding, white discharge, lower abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, back pain, excessive fatigue, and weight loss. The month of January is celebrated worldwide as Cervical Awareness Month.