2,638 women screened for cervical cancer

Kumasi, Aug. 22, GNA - The Cervicare Unit of the Kumasi South Hospital, the only cancer screening centre for women in the northern sector of the country, has since its inception in 2004 screened a total of 2,638 women.

Out of the number screened, 267 were identified to have pre-cancerous lesions on the cervix and that 33 of them were given treatment, whiles the rest will be attended to later. Dr Robert Kweku Sagoe, a gynaecologist/obstetrician in-charge of the Unit, who disclosed this at a cervical screening durbar held in Kumasi over the weekend said, the patients were diagnosed by Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) test and also with the help of a new cancer screening equipment just donated by the Rotary Club to the centre.

He commended the five-member team working at the centre for defying all odds to make such strides at the time, when the Unit did not have the equipment on its own and thus, had to depend on that of the family planning unit.

Dr Sagoe said three cervical cancer patients, who underwent surgery at the hospital last year had been completely cured and called on all sexually active women between 25 to 45 years to come forward for voluntary screening, since the disease was curable, when detected in the early stages.

Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, who was the guest of honour for the occasion, pledged to liaise with industries, civil society and philanthropists to support the development of the hospital.

Dr Frank Abebrese, Medical Superintendent in-charge of the hospital, appealed for assistance to enable the hospital complete its emergency unit, which had reached roofing level but had been abandoned for lack of funds.