Concern as Head, Neck Cancers Related to HPV Rises
A Ear Nose and Throat expert, Dr Oladejo Olaleye, has said that head and neck cancers used to be primarily associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption, but there’s been a notable surge in new head and neck cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly among younger individuals.
Olaleye, a Head and Neck robotic surgeon at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK, made this disclosure at the 2024 Ibadan Medical Specialists Group UK (IMSG-UK) Symposium with the theme “Strengthening Primary Care Services in Nigeria” at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
He stated that there are over 200 different strains of HPV, but the key ones that cause cancers of the cervix and cancers of the head and neck were HPV16 and HPV18.
According to him, “While HPV16 and HPV18 cause cervical cancer, HPV 16 causes over 90 percent of all HPV-related head and neck cancers, including cancer of the throat, tonsils, and tongue. HPV can be sexually transmitted.”
He declared that cancers of the head and neck are now a public health emergency, and in the UK, since the last 4 to 5 years, the HPV vaccine is also given to the boys, too, to protect them against HPV-related cancers.
Dr Olaleye said vaccines are important in preventing cervical cancer, saying the most recent HPV vaccine protects from 90 percent of HPV strains that cause cervical cancer, 90 percent of HPV strains that cause anal cancer, 90 percent of HPV strains that cause genital warts, and most strains that cause mouth and throat cancers.
According to him, “In the UK, we’ve been giving the HPV vaccine to young girls. Publications in the last year have shown a 90% drop in cervical cancer rates. And we’re ready to eradicate cervical cancer by 2025. That’s the government position.
“So if there is a vaccine that can eliminate cervical cancer, tonsil cancer, and genital cancer, then we really need to be doing a lot more about getting it across to our people. And we should encourage people to take it.”
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Dr Olaleye declared that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective and urged getting children vaccinated.
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, in her presentation on “Primary Care Initiatives in Oyo State, Nigeria,” said strengthening the primary healthcare services will address most health issues at the grassroots, reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary care facilities, and enhance overall health outcomes for Nigerians.
Ajetunmobi, who was represented by Dr Akintunde Babatunde, the director of public health at the Ministry of Health, said the Oyo government had adopted innovative primary care initiatives such as integrated mobile health outreach services, quarterly free health missions, and recruitment of community informants for ward surveillance to strengthen primary healthcare services across the state.
She, however, called for continued collaboration to further strengthen the state’s primary care system in the stride for a collective goal of universal health coverage for all.
President of IMSG-UK, Dr Bode Williams, said that strengthening primary care services in Nigeria is an urgent and essential dialogue, which is why IMSG-UK, in its 30th anniversary, decided on getting experts to share their insights and strategies on this challenge facing the healthcare system.
He also highlighted the journey, mission, dreaming projects, and some of the important milestones that have shaped IMSG-UK, from building libraries to funding scholarship programmes, from advancing knowledge and practice through our educational books and journals to publishing cutting-edge research in our journals.
President of ICOMAA Worldwide, Professor Emmanuel Otolorin, said for Nigeria to get its health care delivery right, the primary health care delivery must be made right.
He expressed optimism that the National Health Act and the new law to support local government administrations to have their right funding will help to strengthen primary health care.
Professor Otolorin urged increased support for the Ibadan College of Medicine to maintain its ranking among its peers and doctors to stay back in Nigeria to help build its health system.
