adminCatherine Murombedzi
SCREENING for cervical cancer is testing of all women in child-bearing age to detect precancerous changes which at most times do not show any symptoms.
Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of certain cells in the body causing tumours or growths.
Not all growths are cancer. Those that spread to other parts of the body and can interfere with normal functions are called cancer.
Screening is only effective if there is follow-up and treatment if one is found to have cancer.
Dr Tsitsi Mutasa-Apollo speaking to journalists in Kadoma last year said every woman especially child-bearing women should be encouraged to get screened for cervical cancer.
“Every woman is at risk of getting cervical cancer and I urge women of child-bearing age to get screened for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is now among the notable killers in women. This death can be avoided if one is regularly screened for cancer,” said Dr Mutasa-Apollo.
She further said usually there are no signs and symptoms in the very early setting of cancer hence the only effective tool would be screening for any abnormalities.
“Women who are found to have abnormalities on screening need follow-up, diagnosis and treatment in order to prevent the development of cancer or to treat cancer at an early stage,” Dr Mutasa-Apollo added.
Several tests can be used to screen for cancer. The pap smear (cytology) is widely used in large populations. Another method used is the VIA test.
Women above 30 years are at most risk of getting cervical cancer and this age-group is still child bearing at most times.
The human papillom virus (HPV) is most common in young women, but most infections are transient.
Only a small percentage of the HPV will lead to invasive cancer.
Cervical cancer does not develop over night it usually develops slowly taking 10 to 20 years from early pre-cancer to invasive cancer.
“Women need to be screened for cancer at least once a year as cancer does not develop over a short period of time,” said Dr Mutasa-Apollo.
In resource limited environments screening is urged every 5 years.
Screening for cancer in populations that have a wide HIV prevalence is called for.
“HIV positive women have more persistent HPV infections and a higher incidence of pre-cervical cancer. However, all women regardless of the HIV status should be encouraged to be screened,” she said.
A woman found to have pre-cancer cells may benefit for taking an HIV test since ART is widely offered in Zimbabwe and could save lives.
Women at the end of their reproductive years are at greater risk of cervical cancer. This age-group tends to use health services less and their chances of getting screened for cervical cancer get less and less. If women in this age-group visit a health facility accompanying a child or sick relative they should be educated about cervical cancer and the need to get screened.
There should be no missed opportunity for any woman.
“As a matter of interest in this workshop how many women have been screened for cervical cancer if I may ask?” Dr Mutasa-Apollo posed the question to very few ‘yes’ answers.
Dr Mutasa-Apollo stressed the importance of early detection.
A handbook by the World Health Organisation, ‘Comprehensive cervical cancer control’ states that early detection is of paramount importance in the successful treatment of cancer.
In early stages, the handbook notes that there may be vaginal discharge, sometimes foul-smelling, irregular bleeding in women of reproductive age. There may be post-coital bleeding and uneven bleeding for women of any age. For women who have reached menopause there may experience post menopausal bleeding or spotting.
The book states that if cancer cells are detected in this stage then the patient stands a great chance of getting cured.The second stage when cancer is detected is the late stage. One can experience the need to pass urine more frequent and urgently. They can also experience lower abdominal pain.
In the very late stage one gets severe back pain, weight loss, decreased urine output. There can even be obstruction of the uteruses. One can have leakage of faeces through the vagina due to fistulae. The lower limbs swell and one has shortness of breath.
To avoid complications women are therefore urged to get regular cancer screening.
Cancer treatment is long and costly as in most cases after removal of the cancerous tissues and the wound has healed one then either goes for radio therapy which is the burning of the possible surviving cancer tissues through ultraviolet light. One can also get chemotherapy which is the use of heavy medicine combinations to starve off the possible remaining cancer cells.
To avoid the lengthy treatment and costs women are urged to get regular cervical cancer screening.
Have you or the woman in your life been screened? This year do not be left out, get screened for cancer.
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