The Senior Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr. Joy Agbara, has charged women, especially those above 40 years to go for cervical cancer screening once a year.
Agbara, who spoke at the inauguration of a school- based Cervical Cancer Vaccination Awareness Initiative organised by Breast Without Spot in Lagos, said cervical cancer was preventable and curable only when detected and treated early.
She noted that the disease was killing many Nigerian women and blamed the development on lack of awareness, resources and facilities to prevent and detect the disease on time.
“Cervical cancer has no particular symptom but women should look out for signs, such as pain around the cervix, painful intercourse, foul smelly discharge, weight loss and weakness.
“Go for screening once you notice these signs as such will help to achieve secondary prevention because treatment and cure could be possible.
Agbara called for an investment by government in primary prevention through Human Papillomavirus, HPV, vaccination and secondary prevention through effective mass screening programmes.
A Professor of Radiology and Oncology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Ifeoma Okoye, described cervical cancer as the second highest killer cancer among women in the country.
According to her, no fewer than 26 Nigerian women die daily from cervical cancer.
Okoye, who is also the founder, Breast Without Spot, called on the government to invest in young girls by including the Human Papillomavirus vaccine into the National Immunisation Programme for children.
She said, “Studies have shown that cervical cancer is 99 per cent preventable and prevention is key to its reduction and control in these countries where the vaccine is given to young girls between ages 9 and 14.
“We know 48 million women are at risk. This is alarming and most of the cases are rampant. Government at all levels should improve and strengthen the health care system in terms of funding, infrastructure upgrade and training of medical personnel.
Okoye called on parents to enroll their children into the initiative, which she stated was to educate parents and school owners on the need for them to consent and sponsor the vaccination of girls between the age of nine and 13 against HPV as a primary prevention measure.
ABUJA: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
PORTHARCOURT: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
LAGOS: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
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