An Oncologist, Dr Adediran Ademola, has counseled women of reproductive age to go for cervical cancer screening yearly to know their status. Dr. Ademola, practising at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital, Oncology Department, made the call during an interview with Newsmen 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, the second leading cancer in the world and the fourth leading cancer in West Africa. It is the cancer of the cervix and the cervix is a part of the female reproductive system.”
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 added that 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.
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