12 January 2022
Lindie Dube
The World Health Organisation, WHO, has stated that Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020.
WHO 2020 statistics concluded that, the most common in terms of new cases of cancer were,
“Breast (2.26 million cases); lung (2.21 million cases); colon and rectum (1.93 million cases); prostate (1.41 million cases); skin (non-melanoma) (1.20 million cases); and
stomach (1.09 million cases).”
The same WHO reference explained that
Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body.
Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs; the latter process is referred to as metastasis. Metastases are the primary cause of death from cancer.
In Zimbabwe the most common type of cancer that is widely spoken about is the Cervical cancer and prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer affects men while cervical cancer affects women.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 300 000 women die from cervical cancer every year.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the entrance of the womb known as the cervix. The cervix is the narrow part of the lower uterus often referred to as the neck of the womb. The type of cancer is caused by a type of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted.
The symptoms of cervical cancer according to cancer.org are,
“Vaginal bleeding between periods, menstrual bleeding that is longer or heavier than usual, pain during intercourse, bleeding after intercourse, pelvic pain, a change in your vaginal discharge such as more discharge or it may have a strong or unusual colour or smell. “
In Zimbabwe efforts to prevent the spread of cancer is done through the inoculation of the HPV vaccine is given to girls who are not yet sexually active in order to prevent acquisition of sexually transmitted infections, and an HPV type which causes cervical cancer.
Under this programme girls aged 10 to 14 years are the ones eligible to receive HPV vaccination.
Other ways of preventing the cancer are through regular screenings and treatment of precancerous cells. The screening normally done by women to screen for HPV related to cervical cancer is known as Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Cervicography (VIAC). VIAC can be used as part of a “see and treat” strategy.
Women who are sexually active are advised to go for VIAC screening regularly and then stick to the advise of health experts thereafter.
According to WHO,
achieving the 90-70-90 targets by 2030 will put countries on a path to eliminate cervical cancer and reduce incidents and deaths, setting the world on a path to save millions of women’s lives.
Cervical cancer could be the first ever in the world to be eliminated, if
“90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by 15 years of age, 70% of women screened using a high performance test, 90% of women identified with cervical are treated.”
Zim GBC News interviewed the Permanent Medical Director (PMD) of Bulawayo Province Dr Marphios Siamuchembu on issues of cervical cancer.
“Cancer of the cervix is the most common cancer affecting women in Zimbabwe.
“It is caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The virus is sexually transmitted, so the cancer affects those who are or have been sexually active.
“There are usually no symptoms until it is very late. All sexually active women are encouraged to get screened once every year using VIAC or Pap Smear.
“These are done at UBH, and Mpilo Central Hospital and some Clinics in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. VIAC is free of charge,” he said.
Zim GBC News