According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 493,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 274,000 deaths from the disease were reported in 2002 .  This translates to over 1,300 of women diagnosed with cervical cancer and to over 750 women who succumbed to this disease dailyi,

Locally in 2003, the National Cancer Registry reported the incidence of cervical cancer in *Malaysia was 16.5 female per 100,000 populationi, and accounts for 12.9% of all cancers in womenii.

In light of these pressing facts and figures, Merck Sharp & Dohme Malaysia collaborated with the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM) to spearhead a multi faceted consumer disease campaign on cervical cancer called 'Tell Someone'. The campaign was designed to create a chain reaction among women and disseminate through them important but relatively unknown information about cervical cancer. 

Said Mr. Ewe Kheng Huat, MSD Malaysia’s Managing Director, “The magnitude of this disease needs our collective voices to create awareness far and wide.  We are committed to this partnership towards improving our awareness of this disease. Our aim is clear – for the average Malaysian to reach out and tell someone about this disease and how they can help protect themselves from it.”

The 'Tell Someone' campaign included print and radio advertising, a website 'tellsomeone.com.my' as well as numerous ground activities and in-clinic support materials.

According to Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Yahya, President OGSM (2006-2007), "One lesser-known fact is that cervical cancer is caused by certain types of a common virus called human papillomavirus (HPV)iii. HPV can cause cervical cancer, abnormalities of the cervical, vulva and vaginal cells, precancerous changes to the cervical tissues and genital warts.

“Persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV (Types 16, 18, 31 and 45, among others) can lead to cervical cancer and other cancers of the genital areaiv. For instance, HPV 16 and 18 account for an estimated 70 percent of all cervical cancersiv,” explained Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Yahya. On the other hand, low-risk types of the virus, such as Type 6 and 11, can cause the formation of genital warts, fleshy, non-cancerous growths that appear on and around the genitalsv.

At least half of all sexually-active women and men acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their livesvi. Most HPV infections have no signs or symptoms, and the virus can be transmitted even when no symptoms are presentvi.

For the majority of people who have HPV, the body's defenses are enough to clear the virusvi.  However, infection with high-risk types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer later in lifeiv.  Early detection through regular Pap Smear tests is an effective form of preventionvi.

On hand to speak from experience in dealing with cervical cancer was celebrity thespian Edwin Sumun, one of the many Malaysians affected by the disease as his mother, Yvonne is a cervical cancer survivor.

*Incidence of cervical cancer in the 2003 National Cancer Registry is for Peninsular Malaysia only. Data for Sabah and Sarawak is not included.

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