health talk with Dr Johannes Marisa
This week, I want to take you through one of the common cancers that is wreaking havoc amongt women.
Cervical cancer has become the second commonest cancer, coming after breast cancer. It carries both high morbidity and mortality if radical approaches are not taken to contain it.
The World Health Organisation estimates that last year, approximately 570 000 new cases of cancer were recorded, representing 6,6% of all female cancers. Annually, it causes over 270 000 deaths globally, 85% of these are in developing countries. Estimates suggest that over one million women are living with cervical cancer. Many of these have no access to healthcare. Zimbabwe sits on fifth position in terms of cervical cancer incidence with Malawi topping the list, Mozambique, Comoros, Zambia following on the ladder. Kuguyo etal (2017) estimates that 2 270 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Zimbabwe annually and a mortality rate of 64% has been recorded.
What is cervical cancer?
This is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus which is transmitted sexually, play a role in causing most cervical cancer. When exposed to HPV, our immune system prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
What are the risk factors?
Risk factors are factors that predispose to higher chances of developing cancer of the cervix. It is thus imperative that factors that contribute to this type of cancer be understood by everyone if we are to succeed in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in future. The following are thus risk factors:
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Many sexual factors
The greater the number of sexual partners and the greater your partner’s number of sexual partners, the greater your chances of acquiring HPV, the stubborn and notorious virus that predisposes to cervical cancer.
Early sexual debut Having sex at an early age increases your risk of HPV. The place where the columnar cells of the endocervix meet the squamous cells of the ectocervix is called the Transformation zone where there is massive cell division. Early attacks of the cells of the cervix during the stages of transformation puts high risk to cancer development in future.
Other sexually transmitted infections
Having STDs as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhoea increases one’s risk of HPV.
Smoking
Smoking is associated with numerous cancers and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is not spared.
A weakened immune system
One can be more likely to develop cervical cancer if the immune system is weakened by another health condition which includes such diseases as diabetes, HIV and Aids.
Symptoms
There are some common symptoms that are associated with cervical cancer and I feel it is imperative for everyone to know them. Having adequate knowledge about the symptoms and signs will be a milestone in early detection and diagnosis of the cancer. It will actually save lives. Below are some of the symptoms that should signal further investigations in the event that they arise.
Pain during intercourse
Pain during intercourse should be investigated. However, there are so many other causes which include cervicitis, endometritis and vaginitis. Do not relax and assume all is well with such unbearable pains.
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge, which may be chronic or which does not seem to respond to anti-infectious agents like antibiotics, antifungals should raise alarm about the possibility of such things as cancer of the cervix. In most cases, cervical cancer can present with watery, bloody vaginal discharge which may be heavy or has a foul odour. Remember there are so many other causes of vaginal discharge which include candidiasis, vaginosis and trichomoniasis.
Vaginal bleeding
Bleeding may come in the form of contact bleeding if the cancer is growing on the cervix. This means all bleeding that can appear after such contacts as intercourse should be investigated. Some ladies can start to bleed after bathing if they happen to come into contact with the cervix. Remember polyps or fibroids, pregnancy, bilharzia can also cause vaginal bleeding.
Prevention of cervical cancer
Practise safe sex: Reduce your risk of cervical cancer by taking measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Use of condoms is advised and limiting the number of sexual partners one has.
Avoiding smoking: Smoking carries with it carcinogens which are precursors for numerous cancers in our bodies. The more one can become exposed to carcinogens in the cigars, the more the risk to cancers which include Cervical cancer.
Use of HPV vaccine: Recently HPV vaccine has been introduced to provide life-long protection from cervical cancer. It is, thus, important to vaccinate young girls between nine and 13 years of age (Before they start to be sexually active).
Do routine pap tests: Pap smear can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix and if problems are detected, they can be monitored or treated in order to prevent cervical cancer. It is wise to start pap smears after 21 years or two years after one’s age of sexual debut.
Visual inspection with acetic acid and cervicography (VIAC)
This is an effective way to prevent cervical cancer in women aged between 30-50 years. This involves examining the opening of the womb, or the cervix for changes that might lead to cancer.
Dr Johannes Marisa is a public health practitioner who can be contacted on [email protected]
