Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctors get training on cervical cancer procedure

A life-saving medical procedure that can stop cervical cancer before it becomes deadly is now being expanded in Papua New Guinea through specialist training led by the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority [WHPHA].

As cervical cancer continues to claim the lives of an estimated 1,500 women every year in PNG, Western Highlands is emerging as a national leader in the fight against the disease through its Cervical Cancer Elimination Program, which has already screened thousands of women and is now helping train clinicians and specialist doctors from other Provincial Health Authorities, including Port Moresby General Hospital.

On June 15 to 19, specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology [O&G] doctors from six Provincial Health Authorities [PHAs] and Port Moresby General Hospital gathered in Mt Hagen for an intensive five-day training in the Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone, commonly known as LLETZ.

The procedure is used to remove abnormal or precancerous cells from a woman's cervix before they develop into invasive cervical cancer.

According to POM Gen Senior Specialist Medical Officer and O&G Specialist Dr. Robert Jones, LLETZ is one of the most effective interventions available to prevent cervical cancer deaths.

"This procedure allows us to identify and treat precancerous changes before they progress to cancer. In many cases, we are preventing a disease that could otherwise take a woman's life years later. Early treatment is the key, and LLETZ gives us that opportunity," Dr. Jones said.

The training was hosted by the Western Highlands PHA, which has become one of the country's leading centres for cervical cancer screening and treatment.

The program was facilitated by Senior Specialist Medical Officer Dr. James Tony of WHPHA and Dr. Ai Ling Tan, Senior Academic from the University of Sydney.

During the week-long training, participants received classroom instruction as well as hands-on practical experience performing the procedure on patients under specialist supervision.

Doctors were trained to identify high-grade precancerous lesions, safely remove abnormal tissue using a fine electrically heated loop, manage potential complications and ensure proper follow-up care for patients.

Dr Tony said the training is critical because treatment services must be available closer to where women live.

"We have made significant progress in screening women across Western Highlands and other provinces, but screening alone is not enough," he said. "Women who test positive for high-grade lesions must have access to treatment. By training specialist doctors from across the country, we are building local capacity so women can receive life-saving treatment in their own provinces."

The significance of the training is that these doctors can now provide treatment within their own provinces instead of referring patients’ long distances or waiting for specialist outreach teams.

Dr. Jones said one of the biggest challenges in PNG is ensuring women who are diagnosed receive timely treatment.

"Many women are being screened and identified with precancerous lesions, but access to treatment remains a challenge in some parts of the country. This training helps bridge that gap by equipping specialists with the skills needed to provide treatment immediately and prevent progression to cervical cancer," he said.

The two specialists say eliminating cervical cancer in PNG will require a combination of regular screening, expanded HPV vaccination programs, increased public awareness, improved access to treatment services and continued investment in specialist training.

They believe that with continued government support and collaboration between health authorities and development partners, Papua New Guinea can significantly reduce cervical cancer deaths and move closer to eliminating one of the country's most preventable cancers.