Celebrating the cervical cancer awareness month

Mashudu Mambo

WOMEN have been urged to get regular cancer screening sessions to fight against cervical cancer which has led to a number of deaths in the country.

January is the cervical cancer awareness month and this year the theme is ‘empowering prevention and early detection’ which is set out to raise awareness and encourage people to take steps to reduce the prevalence of the condition.

In an interview, Bulawayo Palliative Care Physician, Dr Natsayi Mujuru said cervical cancer is one of the prevalent cancers which affects women in the country.

“Cervical cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the cervix and like all the other cancers it spreads directly into the surrounding areas and to other parts of the body like the lungs. According to the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry 2019 annual report, cervical cancer remains the commonest cancer in the country which affects about 22 percent of all cancer patients,” she said.

Dr Mujuru indicated that there was a need for women to conduct regular tests to fight against cervical cancer.

“Women can reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer by getting cancer screening tests regularly and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which protects them against infection. The screening tests are key in early detection as cervical cancer can be cured at its early stages. These tests are done at a number of health centres across the country,” she said.

Dr Mujuru highlighted that HPV plays a key role in causing cervical cancer.

“The various strains of the HPV play a role in causing most cervical cancers. HPV is a common infection that is passed through sexual contact. When exposed to HPV, the body’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a few cases, however, the virus survives for years. This contributes to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells,” she said.

She added that having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of one contracting cervical cancer.

“Having multiple sexual partners without using protection increases the risk of contracting HPV and HIV which are both key factors in developing cervical cancer. There are other risk factors that include smoking and other sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia,” she said.

Dr Mujuru urged women to take cautionary measures to fight against cervical cancer.

“There is a need for women to have a healthy lifestyle of a balanced diet, regular exercise, to desist from smoking, reduce their alcohol intake, practice safe sex and have regular cancer screening sessions. Women need to support their immune system by taking antiretroviral medication and be advocates of cervical cancer,” she said.