Cervical Cancer Elimination Day Of Action

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“With enhanced strategies to increase access to vaccination, screening and treatment, strong political and financial commitment from countries, and increased support from partners, we can realize our vision for eliminating cervical cancer.”- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Cervical cancer affects over half a million women each year, and kills a quarter of a million. One woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes, making it one of the greatest threats to women’s health. In 2020, 194 countries resolved to eliminate a cancer for the first time and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. November 17th each year is observed as the Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action. In a world where so many women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, and approximately half succumb to this preventable disease, urgent action is imperative. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cervical cancer strikes women in the prime of life. These women are raising children, caring for their families and contributing to the social and economic fabric of their communities. According to WHO, nine in 10 women who die from cervical cancer are in poor countries. This means some of the most vulnerable women in our world are dying unnecessarily. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix connects the vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus (or womb) is where a baby grows during pregnancy. The CDC adds, that anyone with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in people over age 30. Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few will get cervical cancer. Symptoms . Early on, cervical cancer may not cause signs and symptoms. Advanced cervical cancer may cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you, such as bleeding after sex. It is highly recommended that if you have any of these signs, you should consult your doctor promptly. Such symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor. Diagnosis and Treatment. A gynecologic oncologist is a doctor who has been trained to treat gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancer. The extent of disease is referred to as the stage. Information about the size of the cancer or how far it has spread is often used to determine the stage. Doctors use this information to plan treatment and to monitor progress. Cervical cancer is treated in several ways. It depends on the kind of cervical cancer and how far it has spread. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Choosing the treatment that is right for you may be hard. Talk to your cancer doctor about the treatment options available for your type and stage of cancer. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and their side effects.
Cancer and Spirituality. It is not uncommon for people to draw closer to God when diagnosed with any form of illness. This relationship often brings a deep sense of comfort that cannot be explained by the medical community. People with cancer often tap into their spiritual side when battling the illness. This might include prayer, attending religious services, reading passages from a holy book, or simply expressing gratitude and love. Spiritual activities have not been proven to heal or lessen cancer but many people find that religion can help them better deal with being sick. Hospitals recognize that spirituality can play a crucial role in healing. They often have a chapel and offer visits from pastors, rabbis, clerics, and others to people who want them. Three-Pronged Approach. The WHO has been spearheading the fight against cervical cancer. The WHO proposes a comprehensive three-pronged approach of vaccination, screening and treatment along with a 90-70-90 strategy: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 years. 70% of women are screened with a high- performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age. 90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment (90% of women with precancer treated, and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed). The WHO hopes that by achieving the 90-70-90 targets by 2030, the WHO estimates that more than 62 million cervical cancer deaths can be averted by 2120. In 2011, Rwanda became the first African country to introduce a national HPV vaccination campaign, and the programme has consistently achieved more than 90% coverage. More than 1.2 million girls and women have been fully vaccinated with two doses. Since 2017, the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica has embarked on a vaccination programme to reduce the incidence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer. The global HPV vaccination coverage of girls that received at least one dose of HPV vaccine has increased to 21% in 2022 exceeding the pre-pandemic levels for the first time. If this rate of progress is maintained the world would be on track to meet the 2030 target to make HPV vaccines available to all girls everywhere. Similarly to breast cancer, the ramifications of cervical cancer extend beyond its health implications, as the disease can have a profound social impact, causing discrimination and loss of body image, sexual functioning and femininity. On this the Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, let us urge governments to do more in both preventing and eliminating this form of cancer. It is also imperative that governments commit more financial resources towards research purposes in order to arrive at more advanced treatments for cervical cancer. Eliminating cervical cancer therefore becomes not only a health imperative but a critical driver for gender equity and women's empowerment. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #cervicalcancer #CervicalCancerEliminationDayofAction

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