A need to demystify myths on cervical cancer

Mashudu Mambo

CERVICAL cancer, though preventable and treatable, remains a serious threat to women’s health globally.

Unfortunately, it’s often shrouded in misinformation and myths, creating fear and hindering proactive steps toward prevention and early detection.

Diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2021, Sandile Ncube (35) faced a cruel double blow; the disease itself and the weight of unfair assumptions and suspicions from family and friends.

Sandile said that her diagnosis made her feel like an outcast as her family suspected that the condition was a result of abortion.

“In my family, they all suspected that I had had an abortion and as a result, I was now a cautionary tale to the teens and this had a huge effect as I lost my self-confidence because of this myth.

“This not only affected my relations with my family but it destroyed my marriage as my husband held similar perceptions about the condition and this made him start having extramarital relations,” Sandile shared, her voice heavy with the weight of isolation.

She highlighted that there was a need to demystify the myths surrounding cervical cancer since misinformation about it isn’t just wrong but it’s tearing relationships apart.

“There is a need to demystify some stereotypes that state that women with cervical cancer are people who have had abortions as it is not factual. This harmful myth is not rooted in any medical evidence,” she said.

As the nation joins the rest of the World during this month of January which has been set aside as the World Cervical Cancer Awareness Month there is a need to debunk the myths and empower communities with knowledge about cervical cancer.

According to Zimbabwe Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet Zimbabwe has a population of 5,24 million women aged 15 and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer.

The statistics show that every year, 3 043 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 1 976 die from the condition.

Cervical cancer is not only limited to Africa but there are a number of women worldwide who suffer from the condition.

Cancer Net (2024) states that in 2023, an estimated 13 960 women in the United States were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. In 2020, an estimate of 604 127 women worldwide were diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer has been surrounded by many myths and beliefs that have led to isolation and discrimination of women with the condition.

In an interview, renowned gynaecologist Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said cervical cancer was more prevalent in women who have had several sexual partners.

“Cervical cancer is more prevalent in women who have had multiple sexual partners, who are not necessarily promiscuous. It could be one partner at a time and multiple as years go by. Women who are virgins are at a low risk of having cervical cancer.

“The main symptoms of the condition are postcoital bleeding which refers to bleeding after sexual intercourse and inter-menstrual bleeding which refers to bleeding from the uterus,” said Professor Ngwenya.

He urged women to take advantage of the free screening in different institutions to ensure that they are protected.

“I encourage women to get regular pap smears every three years if they are HIV-negative, and every year if they are HIV-positive. They must also report symptoms of cervical cancer early,” said Prof Solwayo.

It is clear from Prof Ngwenya that healthy lifestyle choices, practicing safe sex with condoms and having long-term monogamous relationships can also reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

While it is important to focus on evidence-based causes of cervical cancer, a prophet from the Apostolic sect maintained the belief that cervical cancer was caused by abortions.

“Abortions are one of the causes of cervical cancer and there is a need for women to be informed on these dangers. This is because if they are not informed the cases will continue escalating and a number of lives will be lost,” said Ncube.

Ncube said the other cause was infidelity adding that it was also caused by a number of women who “lock” their husbands.

“There are a number of women who go to traditional healers or witchdoctors to fence their spouses and given this, anyone who has sexual relations with these married men tends to suffer from this condition,” explained Ncube.

A traditionalist, Joshphat Moyo popularly known as Khulu Ndumba from Cowdray Park also believed that cervical cancer was caused by having many sexual partners.

“I believe that cervical cancer is caused by men who have a number of sexual partners. The risk of contracting this condition is high, especially to women in polygamous marriages.

“The other cause of cervical cancer is the use of different contraceptives and these put women at a risk of having this condition,” said Khulu Ndumba.

Khulu Ndumba said the condition can be cured by cleaning the womb using different herbs prescribed by the traditionalist.

“In treating cervical cancer, we prescribe herbs that are eaten and the other ones are used to cleanse the womb. These concoctions will be used to clean the dirt in the womb and kill the virus that causes cervical cancer,” said Khulu Ndumba.

It is, however, important to note that while traditional herbs have cultural significance, relying solely on them for treating cervical cancer can be dangerous.

These therapies haven’t been scientifically proven to effectively ‘kill the virus or cleanse the womb,’ and could delay seeking necessary medical attention.

Going to a hospital early where a scientific diagnosis can be made and treatment prescribed, remains the best way to beat cervical cancer.