According to 2020 estimations, about 4,145 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed with about 2,905 deaths both occurring annually in Malawi in relation to the disease.
This was disclosed by Dr. Mtisunge Chang’ombe, an obstetrician and gynecologist during a Sip and Connect Ladies Morning Coffee organized by the Lilongwe Pentecostal Church Women’s Ministry.
She indicated that Cancer of the Cervix ranks as the first and leading cause of female cancers among women aged 15 to 44 years in the country.
Despite the alarming statistics, the specialist said the disease which is caused by persistent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections, if detected early, can be preventable through screening as it allows total treatment.
“Cervical cancer is slow-growing. Its progression through precancerous changes provides opportunities for: prevention; early detection and treatment. Cervical cancer can be altogether eliminated”. she assured
Currently HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) with 80 percent of women being infected at some point in their lifetime.
Dr. Chang’ombe who works at the Ethel Mutharika Maternity Wing stated that most of infections clear naturally adding that the persistent ones progress to cancer.
She cited multiple sexual partners, early sexual debut and child birth, giving birth to many children, smoking and a weak immune system due to HIV as some of the risk factors.
As a preventive measure, Malawi rolled out a Cervical Cancer Vaccine targeting girls from 9-14 years, while women from 25 years are encouraged to go for screening and treatment.
Those who are HIV negative are urged to go for screening every 3 years while those HIV positive are supposed to undergo screening every year.
Treatment of invasive cancer at any age and palliative care such as Ablative surgery, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Palliative Care is availablefor those found with cancer of cervix or precancerous lesions.
According to the health expert, treatment however depends on the stage and type of the cancer, the patient’s age and her desire to have children.
President for Lilongwe Pentecostal Church Women’s Ministry Doreen Matonga applauded the gynecologist for the timely health talk which she was upbeat will prompt the women to go cervical cancer screening.
Matonga was hopeful that the church should be able to engage the doctor again in future and even set up a clinic for breast cancer examination which is also another important subject.
It was apparent during the discussion that the topic generated a lot of interest as it was followed by many questions from the women participants.
