Cervical Cancer: Oncologist advises yearly screening

Dr Adediran Ademola, an Oncologist, has urged women of reproductive age to go for cervical cancer screening yearly to know their status. Ademole, who works at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital Oncology Department, made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Osogbo. The doctor, who spoke on the causes of cancer, its management and treatment, said early detection will help to save lives. He added that though the cause(s) of cancers are attached to numerous factors,, every woman of productive age is at risk of having cervical cancer. He said “cervical cancer is one of the health challenges faced by women globally. It is the cancer of the cervix (the cervix is a part of the female reproductive system). “Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer in the world and the fourth leading cancer in West Africa. “It is one of the challenges faced in this part of the world because majority of the patients present late. “Though it is not the cervical cancer that occurs at the initial stage, but if it is detected at the early stages and presented earlier, patients will be well managed and the survival rate will be very high.” The oncologist explained that some factors associated with cervical cancer include having multiple sexual partners and high risk sexual behaviour. He also said that like other forms of cancers, cervical cancer can also be hereditary, caused by what goes into the body and the environment, such as global warming effect. He said the signs of cervical cancer depend on age, and difficult to detect in women of reproductive age until they get screened. “Every woman of productive age is supposed to be screened at least once in a year. “If a post menopausal woman suddenly sees her menses again, she is supposed to go for cervical cancer screening; also, a woman that has delivered four babies by herself (grand multiparous woman) is also at risk of cervical cancer.” He said surviving cancer generally depends on the time of presentation and that there are many ways cancer can be treated, which include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and others. He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has a 95-95-95 plan to ensure 95 per cent of women are aware of cervical cancer, 95 per cent are screened, while 95 per cent are treated or are on treatment by the year 2030. He, therefore, said that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine launched by the Federal Government of Oct. 24 for girls aged nine to 14 years would help to prevent cervical cancer in the country. He suggested that if government can subsidise the cost of managing the disease, majority of patients will survive the menace.(NAN)