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Mongolia Screens 20,000 Women for HPV to Combat Cervical Cancer

Mongolia's health ministry is launching a screening program to test 20,000 women in their 30s and 40s for the human papillomavirus (HPV) this year. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the country, with 551 new cases and 171 deaths recorded in 2025. The HPV vaccine is a key preventative tool, as it protects against the infections that can lead to various cancers. Screening aims to detect precancerous cell changes early, allowing for treatment before cervical cancer develops.

Key Points: Mongolia HPV Screening for 20,000 Women to Prevent Cervical Cancer

  • 20,000 women targeted for screening
  • Cervical cancer is 2nd most common in Mongolian women
  • HPV vaccine prevents cancer-causing infections
  • Screening finds precancerous cells for early treatment
2 min read

20,000 women to be screened for HPV in Mongolia this year

Mongolia launches a major HPV screening drive for 20,000 women aged 30-40 to prevent cervical cancer, the nation's second most common cancer in women.

"cervical cancer is preventable - Mongolia's Health Ministry"

Ulan Bator, April 8

At least 20,000 women in their 30s and 40s will undergo screening for the human papillomavirus, a leading cause of cervical cancer, in Mongolia this year, local media reported, citing the country's health ministry.

The ministry emphasised that cervical cancer is preventable and urged women in the targeted age group to actively participate in the screening programme.

According to the National Centre for Communicable Diseases, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Mongolia and the fourth most common cancer nationwide.

In 2025, Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, recorded 551 new cases of cervical cancer and 171 related deaths, Xinhua news agency reported.

HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. Almost all sexually active people will be infected at some point in their lives, usually without symptoms.

HPV can affect the skin, genital area and throat.

Condoms help prevent HPV but do not offer total protection because they do not cover all the genital skin.

HPV usually goes away on its own without treatment. Some HPV infections cause genital warts. Others can cause abnormal cells to develop, which go on to become cancer.

Cancers from HPV can be prevented with vaccines.

The vaccine does not contain any live virus or DNA from the virus so it cannot cause cancer or other HPV-related illnesses. The HPV vaccine is not used to treat HPV infections or diseases caused by HPV, but instead to prevent the development of cancers.

Currently, cervical cancer is the only HPV-caused cancer for which screening tests are available. Screening tests are used to check for disease when there are no symptoms. The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find precancerous cell changes before they become cancer and when treatment can prevent cancer from developing. Screening for cervical cancer is an important part of routine health care for people who have a cervix. This includes women and transgender men who still have a cervix.

Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV, other less common cancers affecting men and women, including anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat and penile cancers.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The statistics are alarming - 171 deaths in a population of 3.5 million. It shows how crucial preventive healthcare is. We have similar screening programs in India like the Ayushman Bharat scheme, but public participation needs to improve.
A
Ananya R
I wish the article talked more about the HPV vaccine. It's available in India but so many parents don't get it for their daughters due to misinformation. Prevention is always better than cure.
D
David E
Working in public health, I appreciate Mongolia's targeted approach focusing on women in their 30s and 40s. That's the high-risk group. More countries should adopt such data-driven health campaigns.
S
Siddharth J
Good initiative, but I hope they ensure privacy and follow-up care. Sometimes in government programs, the screening happens but proper treatment isn't accessible to all. The article mentions it's preventable - let's hope the system supports that claim.
K
Kavya N
More power to Mongolian women! 🎗️ We need to break the taboo around discussing women's health openly. My mother never got screened in her life because she felt shy talking to doctors about such things. Times are changing, thankfully.

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