Lorraine Govender, national manager of health programmes at the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), has emphasised the significance of increasing knowledge about cervical cancer, pointing out that it is preventable and treatable if detected and addressed early.
In order to promote successful treatment outcomes, this involves educating women on the significance of treating precancerous lesions, raising awareness of the warning signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, and encouraging early diagnosis through routine screening.
Govender said great strides have been made in advancing gender equality, economic opportunities, and empowerment of women; however, many still overlook their health.
“Often, it’s a matter of having little or no time to go for medical check-ups and ignoring niggling symptoms. And there are also those women who just don’t know about cancer and how to recognise its symptoms.”
“During Women’s Month, we are especially focusing on cervical cancer, which is preventable and treatable if detected and addressed early,” said Govender.
It is reported that cervical cancer is one of the top three affecting women in South Africa. Second to breast cancer, the 2022 South African National Cancer Registry statistics show that 7 499 new cervical cancer cases were diagnosed histologically.
Most of the women diagnosed are aged between 40 and 49.
It is explained that Cansa’s Women’s Health awareness campaign is aligned to South African initiatives as well as to the World Health Organization’s 2020 global strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer.
The campaign also aims to support this strategy by creating awareness of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, promoting early detection through regular screening, and educating women on the importance of treating precancerous lesions to ensure effective treatment outcomes.
Cansa ambassador and Mrs South Africa 2023 finalist, Roulene Bonthuys, is a survivor of cervical cancer and said: “So many women are not aware of this cancer until it is too late. Please don’t wait for next month or next year to visit your gynaecologist and find out as much as you can about cervical cancer and how to prevent it.”
Cervical cancers are primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through skin-to-skin contact and smoking, with various strains potentially leading to cervical cancer or genital warts.
It is reported that symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods or after menopause, menstrual periods becoming heavier and lasting longer than usual, vaginal bleeding or pain during or after sexual intercourse, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
However, cervical cancer does not always present with easily detected symptoms; that’s why regular screening is important.
Dr Tracey Adams, senior specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, and a gynaecological oncology subspecialist consultant, said most women and men are exposed to the HPV, and most will clear the infection.
“In women with a compromised immune system, the virus may not clear, and a persistent infection can integrate into normal cells and become cancerous cells. In addition, HIV, diabetes, and transplant patients on immune suppressant drugs, for example, are at risk of not clearing the virus.”
The Star