As common as it is, cervical cancer can easily go unnoticed. Why? Because it tends to display minimal symptoms. The disease is caused by certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), mainly contracted through sexual contact, and can be cured if detected early.
What is it, really?
“Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus,” explains Dr. Caleb Mawutor Dzunu, Family Physician at St. Luke Medical Hospital, Ghana.
According to the World Health Organization, there are over 100 types of HPV, however, only 14 of them cause cancer. Referencing this, Dr. Dzunu adds: “HPV strains 16 and 18 are particularly implicated.”
Preventative measures:
Nonetheless, this disease can easily be prevented with a simple cervical screening test, such as pap smear. A study by BMC Women’s Health about Ghanaian women and cervical cancer screening practices, revealed that certain factors played a role in their desire to get screened. It determined that age, marital status and healthcare involvement influenced whether they got pap smears or not. Also, women who were married or widowed seemed to have reduced odds of getting pap smears compared to those who had never been married.
In fact, in Nigeria, women at risk for cervical cancer are estimated at 53.1 million, according to a 2019 report by the HPV Centre. In this report, the annual number of cervical cancer cases in 2018 were estimated at 14,943 with annual deaths of 10,403. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 90% of cervical cancer-related deaths in 2018 occurred in low-medium income countries. This is due to inaccessibility of public health services to everyone.
While pap smear is a good preventative measure, Dr. Dzunu also recommends high risk HPV screening and a vaccine (sometimes called cervical vaccine) against the Human Papilloma Virus. “It is important for every woman to see her health care professional for this to be arranged,” he advises.
Risk factors
Indeed, certain risk factors makes women vulnerable to developing cervical cancer. According to Dr. Dzunu, these include the following:
- Women who are or have been sexually active.
- Women who have had several sexual partners or those whose partners have had several sexual partners.
- Sexual intercourse at an early age
- Family history of cervical cancer.
- Smoking
- Immune suppression
Symptoms:
“Some of the signs include intermenstrual bleeding, that is, bleeding in-between periods,” he clarifies. “Bleeding after intercourse, postmenopausal bleeding and profuse and offensive vaginal discharge which may be bloodstained. Other symptoms such as pain are uncommon until a very late stage.”
Thus, It’s important to visit any government hospital to inquire about HPV screening centers near you, or speak to your medical doctor for advice.