Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Health Reporter
YOUNG women aged between 20 and 24 years now account for the bulk of cervical cancer cases in Zimbabwe, a worrying trend which experts say affects the future development of the country.
Cervical cancer accounts for 25 percent of all cancer cases and is one of the leading causes of Zimbabwean women’s deaths, accounting for 23 percent of cancer-related deaths.
This comes after a UNAIDS report ranked Zimbabwe as the fifth hard hit country with cervical cancer burden. The report shows that women living with HIV are at a higher risk of developing persistent human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.
Experts say cervical cancer is prevalent because many women present late for treatment. The cancer also does not have much symptoms during early stages. Most common symptoms are irregular vaginal bleeding, sometimes between menstrual periods or after sex, back or pelvic pain, unusual vaginal discharge.
Women from 20 years of age and above are usually at high risk of cervical cancer infection hence health experts encourage regular screening through Pap smear or HPV tests.
Speaking during a Zimbabwe Association of Related Church Hospitals (ZACH) virtual media briefing, the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe information, research and evaluation officer Mr Lovemore Makurirofa said young women were slowly becoming the hardest hit age group.
He said the trend is fuelled by low-risk perception as many young women think cervical cancer affects older women.
“We are noticing a worrying trend where young women between the ages of 20 and 24 are being affected and suffering from cervical cancer. These are women mostly in colleges and universities delay going for screening thinking they are not at risk,” he said.
“The other reason is the women in this age group delay getting treated for sexually transmitted infections which puts them at risk and stimulates abnormal growth of cells.”
Cervical cancer ranks as one of the most common female cancers and affects women aged between 15 and 44 years in Zimbabwe. ZACH technical advisor on HIV prevention, care and support Dr Oni Dura-Vere said more local resources and donor funds were needed to ensure that women access cancer treatment.
Dr Dura-Vere said cervical cancer is preventable and women living with HIV should access services as they are at a higher risk of developing it.
She said prophylactic vaccination for HPV provides the most effective method of primary prevention against HPV-related diseases although it is only accessible to primary school going learners. — @thamamoe
Online Reporter