Tahraoui: Significant Decrease in Cervical Cancer Rates Thanks to Health Policies Implemented
The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tahraoui, confirmed a continuous decline in cervical cancer rates in recent years, considering it evidence of the effectiveness of public policies adopted under the National Cancer Control Plan 2020–2029.
During a session of oral questions in the House of Representatives on Monday, the minister indicated that Morocco registers approximately 50,000 new cancer cases of various types annually. He noted that cervical cancer currently ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women, accounting for 6.5%, with an incidence rate of around 8.3 cases per 100,000 women, down from the previous position of second place at 12.8% and an incidence of 13.46 cases.
Tahraoui pointed out that these results fall within Morocco’s international commitments and the recommendations from the World Health Organization, through a national strategy focused on three essential and integrated pillars.
Regarding prevention, the minister highlighted the integration of the HPV vaccine into the national immunization program since 2022, along with intensified awareness campaigns, emphasizing that vaccination is an effective health option based on recent scientific data.
In terms of early detection, he explained that the national program targets women aged between 30 and 49 years and is currently operational in 61 provinces and regions, benefiting around 500,000 women annually with support from a network of 59 reference reproductive health centers across various regions of the country.
As for treatment and care, the minister stated that the health system treats over 1,000 pre-cancerous cases each year, providing specialized treatment within 12 regional oncology centers, complemented by two reference poles at university hospitals in Rabat and Casablanca, following updated national treatment protocols.
Tahraoui affirmed that this comprehensive approach has yielded tangible results, reflected in the continuous decline of incidence rates, stressing the ministry’s commitment to further enhancing these efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue in Morocco.
