Cervical Cancer

Causes

 

• 99% of all cervical cancer cases are linked to the Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Two types, 16 and 18, cause 70% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions

 

Symptoms

 

• Symptoms develop during the advanced stages of cervical cancer and may include: nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal/pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, and abnormal vaginal bleeding.

 

Tests

 

• The lower cervical cancer incident rates in developed countries have been attributed to the use of the Pap test
• Pap tests have reduced cervical cancer mortality rates in developed countries by 70-80%
• Poor countries do not have the technology and skilled pathologists required to perform Pap tests so Visualization with Acetic Acid (VIA) is the method used to screen for cervical cancer
• During VIA, practitioners brush the cervix with vinegar and within minutes, cancerous and precancerous lesions turn white

 

Treatments

 

• Early stage lesions are treated with Cryotherapy or a Loop Electrical Excision Procedure (LEEP)
• Options for later stage cancers include a hysterectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative care for pain/symptom management

 

Prevention

 

• Screening is recommended once every 2-3 years for sexually active women ages 21-50
• Screening is especially important in HIV positive women because HIV positive women have higher incidences, greater prevalence, and longer persistence of HPV infection
• HPV vaccination programs are now being established in the country

 

High cervical cancer mortality rates in Tanzania are due to:

 

• Lack of cervical cancer awareness in rural communities
• Limited preventive health services and cervical cancer screening programs
• Absence of HPV vaccination programs
• High prevalence of HIV in the country
• Shortage of healthcare facilities in rural areas
• Lack of government funding

 

Mama Na Mwana Tanzania is working on establishing women’s health clinics in rural Tanzania. These clinics will offer cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccines, and cervical cancer awareness and educational programs