False beliefs and misinformation around the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination are hampering progress in conquering cervical cancer.

These were some of the concerns raised by various speakers at a workshop on sexually transmitted infections (STI), hosted by Roche and the Cancer Association of Namibia in Windhoek.

Cervical cancer, also known as the "silent killer," remains among the top four cancers, second only to breast cancer in incidence among women in Namibia.

Research points to nearly all cases of cervical cancer being attributed to HPV infection.

And while most HPV infections clear up on their own, there is a risk for all women that an HPV infection could lead to invasive cervical cancer.

Almost 3,000 cases of cervical cancer were recorded between 2009 and 2019.

Despite progressive interventions, Executive Director Ben Nangombe says anti-vax sentiments continue to fuel existing myths around the HPV vaccination.

This has contributed to the slow uptake of the vaccine, hence the need for stakeholder collaboration in educating communities.

"Even the manufacturers of the vaccine actually get involved with us in risk communication and community engagement for people to understand what it actually means, or at least those who are willing to listen can look at the data and say it has been done elsewhere. Can it be then that this sinister argument about population control holds water? And that is one of the greatest challenges that we must deal with because introducing a vaccine is one thing, but the uptake in the climate that we are in could prove a challenge."

First Lady Monica Geingos also raised concern about misinformation and infertility myths, noting that her office will continue countering such distortions and helping Namibia eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

"Workshops like this are a constant reminder that to honor our sisters on the continent and country, we need to have a laser focus on the elimination of cervical cancer, and this is why the development of the National Elimination Strategy for 2023–2030 to align strategy interventions is both timely and necessary. So how do we eliminate cervical cancer? We work together."

The HPV workshop focused on creating collaboration with key stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem and discussed HPV, cervical cancer, and reaching the 90-70-90 targets.

Roche's Jonathan Keytel says the company will assist Namibia in its quest for the elimination of cervical cancer.