What to do to reduce chances of getting cervical cancer

 

The Ministry of Health has moved to amplify the need for cervical cancer awareness and Human Papillomavirus vaccination.

The Ministry says cervical cancer is preventable even though it is the leading cancer killer among women followed by breast cancer in Kenya.

Since cancer is preventable, all women need to be equipped with knowledge on how to prevent it.  

In 2020, WHO estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths globally. 

"About 90 per cent of the new cases and deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries," WHO said. 

HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, is mainly transmitted through sexual contact and is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. 

WHO says most people get the HPV infection shortly after they start engaging in sexual activity.  

Gynecologist Wasike Wamalwa says one contracts the virus after sexual contact with a person who has it.

"One who starts sexual activity early could start picking the HPV virus at an early age," he said. 

Wamalwa said another factor that increases the chance of getting cervical cancer is having multiple sexual partners. 

He said that women who smoke tobacco also pose a risk to their reproductive system as smoking is considered a risk factor for cervical cancer. 

He warns against staying with untreated infections and STIs as well. 

The medic says women can prevent cervical by getting vaccinated and termed it as the most effective way of fighting cancer.

WHO says HPV vaccination, screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions is a cost-effective way to prevent cervical cancer.

"The vaccine should be administered at an early age before the girls become sexually active. This is because their cells are yet to mature," Wamalwa explained. 

WHO recommends vaccinating girls aged 9 to 14 years, when most are yet to engage in sexual activity. 

"It is why we are pushing for mothers to bring in their daughters for vaccination," he said. 

Wamalwa said that because the virus can be transmitted sexually, women should engage in safe sex by using condoms to reduce the chances of picking the virus. 

Though the cancer is treatable, Wamalwa said, it is always discovered in the later stages when it is too late. 

"The problem is that women don't come in for screening early enough," he said. 

WHO says screening allows for early identification of pre-cancerous lesions at stages when they can be treated.  

Wamalwa said the screening routine, called a pap smear test, only takes a few minutes. 

"We take samples from the cervix to test for any cancerous cells," he said. 

He advised that early screening is important as allowing cancer to advance comes with complications such as kidney failure, severe pain, fistula and formation of blood clots. 

Wamalwa explained that regular screening should be made a norm by all women as there are no signs and symptoms at the early stages of cancer. 

He said any discomfort during sex or vaginal bleeding after and any foul discharge should not be ignored. 

WHO also warned that women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop cancer compared to those without.

It categorises comprehensive cervical cancer control into three; 

Primary prevention which involves vaccination against HPV. 

Secondary prevention involving screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions. 

Tertiary prevention where diagnosis and treatment of invasive cervical cancer and palliative care happens. 

WHO said it takes 15 to 20 years for cancer to develop in women with normal immune systems.

While those with weakened immune systems take 5 to 10 years. 

HPV vaccines work best if administered prior to exposure to the virus. 

"HPV vaccination does not replace cervical cancer screening," WHO said.    BY THE STAR