[YOUR HEALTH] Preventing cervical cancer in young girls

Mrs. J, a mother of two was diagnosed of cervical cancer by her gynaecologist. She shares her story. After her son was born, she found out she had cervical cancer and needed a total hysterectomy (surgery to remove her womb).

Continue reading after the cut....

“Every time the doctor called, I held my breath until I got the results. Cancer was always in the back of my mind,” Mrs. J says. “I will protect my son and daughter by getting both of them the HPV vaccine series as soon as they turn 11. I tell everyone I know to get their children the HPV vaccine series to protect them from cancer.” Mrs. J is a cervical cancer survivor.

 Cervical cancer is the commonest genital cancer killing women, especially in Africa. It is the second commonest cancer affecting women in Nigeria. It is prevalent among the sexually active women in the reproductive (childbearing) years.

Many Nigerians still believe cancer is a spiritual attack from the enemy and as such are not concerned about protection of their young girls.

At this juncture, I will like to emphasise that this piece is not about diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer but about awareness in sexually active women and prevention in young girls through vaccination.

Despite the fact that more women die of cervical cancer in Nigeria than in any other African country, the response to vaccination is near zero, whereas in the western world, once young girls reach age10, it is time to receive the cervical cancer vaccine in school.

 Several studies have proved that certain types of a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are the cause of cervical cancer. This makes its prevention and treatment relatively easier than other cancers.

The virus is transmitted through sexual contact and may cause other diseases such as oral cancer and genital warts.

Awareness: Government at the federal, state and local levels commenced massive public awareness and screening of women aged between 25–60 years in order to diagnose women during the long pre-cancerous phase (before the cancer).

Screening: About 80 per cent of the women will be infected with some type of the HPV at some time in their lifetime. This is why it is very important for every woman to undergo regular cervical screening to detect abnormalities.

 Regular cervical smear testing through Pap smear or screening with low cost methods using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) are the most effective ways of detecting cervical abnormalities, which may be the early signs of the disease.

The prevention of cervical cancer using these low cost methods is simple, effective, technologically friendly and affordable. Both screening methods involve examination and inspection of the cervix.

Women are generally encouraged to be part of the awareness and screening exercises organised by governments, NGO’s and faith-based organisations. They are to be done at least on an annual basis.

Prevention via vaccination

Prevention of cervical cancer is achievable through the use of vaccines called HPV vaccines. There are two vaccines presently available for use against cervical cancer. The vaccine is given in three doses over a period of six months, the second dose being given four weeks after the first and the third given six months after the first dose. It is given into the muscle of the shoulder.

It has been observed that the vaccine has about 99 per cent protection against cervical cancer.

In the developed world, ladies between the ages of 10 and 16 are compulsorily vaccinated (preferably before sexual contact).

In Nigeria, however, the use of the vaccines has not received as much widespread acceptance as it has in the developed world.

Another group of people believe the disease is punishment for being sexually promiscuous and so do not believe in vaccination as this would be a license for immorality. The most important challenge facing the use and effectiveness of this effort in Nigeria is the affordability of the vaccines.

A lot of work still needs to be done to help our beloved country overcome the burden of this disease. The responsibility rests on everyone but mainly n the government, nongovernmental organisations, religious bodies and pharmaceutical companies.

Conclusion

The government can include the HPV vaccine in the immunisation schedule and help get young girls in secondary schools vaccinated free of charge.

If this vaccine is to be perceived as necessary in the fight against cancer, then public awareness of the virus (HPV) and the cancer must increase.

With more public enlightenment, availability and affordability of the vaccine, the HPV vaccine holds the key to prevention of cervical cancer in our society.

It is hoped that with increased government action, the vaccines can be made available to the general public at subsidised rates in shortest possible period.

We might even get to the point where teenage girls get the vaccines as birthday presents from their parents in order to safeguard their future!

-Rotimi Adesanya/Punch

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