Over 4,000 Women In Melaka Undergo HPV DNA Screening

ALOR GAJAH, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- A total of 4,003 women in Melaka underwent free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA screening conducted by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) between 2019 and last year.

State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Nordin said out of that number, 211 women tested positive for HPV, with the majority of them aged 40 and above.

She said for this year, the state LPPKN aims to screen 1,000 women through various initiatives, including outreach programmes by the LPPKN Mobile Family Centre.

"To date, the number of women undergoing cervical cancer screening in Melaka remains low, however, it is increasing year by year as awareness regarding early detection of the disease grows.

"Previously, many women were hesitant to undergo the screening due to phobias, while others were unaware of the symptoms or signs they were experiencing," she told reporters here today.

Kalsom was speaking after officiating the Melaka State-level Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 2026 celebration at Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Payung. The event was also attended by Taboh Naning assemblyman Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin.

Kalsom noted that cervical cancer screening can now be self-administered by women using HPV DNA test kits provided by LPPKN, describing the method as simpler and painless.

She said results can be obtained within two weeks, and screenings are available at state LPPKN Nur Sejahtera Clinics as well as through LPPKN Mobile Clinics during periodic outreach programmes across the state.

"Early screening to detect cervical cancer is particularly important for women aged 30 and above, as they represent the group most at risk of developing the disease.

"This effort is crucial so that appropriate preventive measures and treatment can be implemented should a woman test positive for HPV," she added.

Kalsom said that 50 women from the Orang Asli community in the village underwent HPV DNA screening today.

She added that the programme would be expanded to other Orang Asli villages in the state to provide exposure to the test and encourage more women from the community to undergo screening.

-- BERNAMA