Ministry of Health Urges Cervical Cancer Screening in Belize

As Belize prepares to close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to engage women on the importance of screening for cervical cancer. Dr. Natalia Beer, Maternal and Child Health Advisor for the Ministry said that the ministry is monitoring an increase in cervical cancer cases in younger women. Beer said that cervical cancer is preventable and the situation underscores the importance of young girls taking the HPV vaccine. 

The HPV vaccine is administered in schools to girls beginning at age 10. The Ministry recently announced that the vaccine program will be rolled out again this year under amended international guidelines. The vaccine will now be administered in only a single dose.