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Mashudu Mambo
TO mark Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, women have been urged to get screened for cervical cancer, as early detection can save lives.
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated annually in January to raise awareness about the disease. This year the event runs under the theme “learn, prevent and screen.”
A gynaecologist, Dr Vimbai Moyana Muguto urged women to go for cancer screening to reduce the mortality rates in the country as a result of cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is transmitted through sexual intercourse. It is very common and is found in about 85% of the population.
“A woman who has had one sexual partner can have cervical cancer and we urge women to get screened and prevent the cancer of the cervix as it is the most common cancer amongst black African women. It is cheaper to be screened than to be treated for cancer,” said Dr Muguto.
Dr Muguto outlined the different causes of cervical cancer which entail having unprotected sexual intercourse and the use of oral contraceptive pills for a long period.
“There are several predisposing factors to cancer of the cervix and these include multiple sexual partners, partner with multiple sexual partners, early sexual debut, unprotected sex, use of combined oral contraceptive pills for more than 10 years, and immunosuppressive diseases,” she said.
She urged women to be on the lookout for a number of symptoms and visit their health practitioners earlier.
“The symptoms of cervical cancer are abnormal vaginal bleeding after having sexual intercourse, intermenstrual (bleeding between periods) or post-menopausal (bleeding that occurs after a year or more after your last period), a foul-smelling discharge, lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, backache or no symptoms at all,” said Dr Muguto.
Online Reporter