Cervical cancer still the leading cause of death in women – Dr. Kwaku Ansah-Opoku

Obstetrician gynaecologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital expressed worry about the high prevalence of cervical cancer and how it remains the leading cause of death in women in the Ghana.

According to him the numerous cases of cervical cancer is alarming and there is the need to create awareness nationwide to reduce mortality in that area.

Cervical cancer is a cancer that occurs in the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Typically no symptoms are seen at the early stages of the disease. Later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during sexual intercourse.

A lot of women die of cervical cancer due to late detection. It is reported that in every five hours at least one woman dies of cervical cancer.

Speaking at the launch of world cervical cancer day, Dr. Kwaku Ansah-Opoku indicated that one of the reasons for the high death is that victims fail to report and fail to do routine checkups.

“Cervical cancer continues to be the leading cancer when it comes to gynaecology in this country. Close to about more than half of them who come with cervical cancer eventually die because most of them present very late and that is a worrying trend.”

He added that even though cervical cancer is preventable, people in the rural areas are left out on cervical cancer due to lack of education.

He called on government to come up with a project that seeks to help broaden the education on cervical cancer.

He also suggested government could add cervical cancer screening to the NHIS to help curb cervical cancer since a lot of women may not be able to afford the cost of screening. Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus. The people at risk are mostly people who started having sex very early and with people who have multiple sexual partners.

He advised since cervical cancer is preventable, routine screening exercise with pap smear gives a higher chance of detecting it early to avoid death.

This year’s world cervical day is marked by providing discount on Pap smear test at the korle bu hospital for ghc80 instead of ghc150.