Cervical Health: Experts Say Increase In Screening and Treatment Can Eradicate Disease

Cervical health is one aspect of health that many women neglect throughout their lives. A survey conducted as a joint sponsorship between the American Social Health Association (ASHA) and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), focuses on comprehensive prevention strategies, effective screening, and early detection of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is most often diagnosed in women in the age group of 35- 44 years, with the average age at diagnosis being 50. It rarely develops in women younger than 20 years. It is estimated that more than 20 percent of cases of cervical cancer are found in women over 65. The condition rarely occurs in women who have been undergoing regular tests to screen for cervical cancer before they were 65.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and over 50 million nigerian women are at risk of this disease.

Globally, cervical cancer kills 720 women daily; that is one woman every two minutes. In nigeria, out of the 14,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer, about 30 of them die from the disease daily.

Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix – the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Persistent infection with high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) – that spreads through sexual activity – is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV infections are asymptomatic and resolve on their own. Early-stage cervical cancers usually have no specific signs or symptoms. As the condition advances, most people experience symptoms like vaginal bleeding after intercourse, pelvic pain or pain during intercourse; and watery and bloody vaginal discharge.

Hence the need for the campaign for prevention, screening and treatment in order to eradicate the disease.

When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, if it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancer diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and care. With a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen and treat, ending cervical cancer as a public health problem within a few generations is possible.

In 2023, cervical cancer awareness month highlights the importance of increasing screening and prevention, which are key components of the effort to eradicate cervical cancer. Screening looks for abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Without treatment, some abnormal cells can eventually develop into cancer. A wide range of imaging tests like HPV DNA test, Colonoscopy, CT scan, MRI, pelvic ultrasound and other types of blood tests will be performed to determine the stage of the cancer.