(MENAFN- African Press Organization)
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MSD (www.MSD.co.za), known as Merck & Co., Inc., (NYSE: MRK) in the United States and Canada, congratulates Kenya on the successful launch of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) for the Human-Papillomavirus (HPV - the main cause of cervical cancer). [1]
Approximately 530 000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer around the world each year. [2] In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cervical cancer incidence rates are the highest in the world (the prevalence of HPV in women with normal cytology is at an average of 24% in SSA) and the disease is the most common cause of cancer death among women in the region. [3]a,b HPV16 and 18 are the most common genotypes in cervical cancer in SSA.3 Although HPV16 and 18 are associated with approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases [4], the various HPV genotypes also contribute to penile cancers, anal cancers, vulvar and vaginal cancers as well as genital warts (HPV6 and 11).3
The launch of the HPV program in Kenya is a watershed moment for the country.
Kenya has a population of 13.45 million women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate that every year 5250 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3286 die from the disease. [5] HPV ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Kenya and the 1st most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age5.
'We are excited that Kenya now joins Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania, as East African countries with established HPV immunisation programs. MSD is committed to the elimination of preventable HPV related cancers and diseases and a national immunisation program is a critical step towards that. Well done to Kenya” said Dr Priya Agrawal – MD MSD South Africa and SSA Cluster.
[1] https://bit.ly/2e92Kw9
[2] https://bit.ly/31Fpero
[3] https://bit.ly/2MFbmcr
[4] https://bit.ly/2rx9PtJ
[5] https://bit.ly/2JemxGC
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MSD.
Media Contact:
Neren Rau
+27 11 655 3000
About HPV and related cancers:
There are over 190 different types of HPV, and 40 of them affect the anogenital area. For most young individuals infected with HPV, the virus goes away on its own. If the virus does not go away it can develop into genital warts, pre-cancerous lesions, or even HPV related cancers such as cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and penile cancer, depending on the HPV type. For more information, visit http://HPVvaccine.co.za/the-virus.html
About MSD:
For more than a century, MSD (www.MSD.co.za), a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for the world’s most challenging diseases. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, MSD continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world - including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information, visit www.MSD.co.za and connect with us onTwitter(https://bit.ly/2Bzt4b1).
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