More than 10,500 Malaysian women have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) over the past five years through nationwide cervical cancer screening programmes, according to the Ministry of Health in a news report by Bernama.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed the figure in conjunction with the launch of the latest phase of Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles to Cervical Screening), part of efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Malaysia by 2030.
The screenings are part of the Ministry’s Action Plan Towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer 2021–2030, which has reached over 160,000 women to date.
Despite this, Dr Dzulkefly expressed concern that an estimated 65% of women in Malaysia have not undergone cervical cancer screening in the last three years.
“This is deeply worrying,” he said. “Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. It is caused by a virus that we can detect early and treat effectively.”
The Minister pointed out that social stigma, fear, and access challenges remain major barriers to testing, particularly among underserved populations.
A key development in overcoming these barriers is the HPV DNA self-sampling test, which Dr Dzulkefly described as over 90% accurate, painless, private, and requiring testing only every five to ten years. This innovation, he said, could play a transformative role in reaching more women.
To improve accessibility and community engagement, the Ministry has partnered with initiatives like Program ROSE, currently being implemented across 44 government hospitals with support from various NGOs and private sector players.
Dr Dzulkefly also acknowledged Etiqa’s long-standing collaboration with the ROSE Foundation. The current (fifth) phase of the partnership will focus on screening 4,000 women, particularly from vulnerable and low-income communities.
“Eliminating cervical cancer will require more than clinical intervention—it needs a shift in social norms,” he said. “There is no shame in prevention, only strength.”
He stressed the importance of community dialogue, cultural acceptance, and multi-sector partnerships in ensuring that Malaysia reaches its cervical cancer elimination goals.
