Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Lawrencia Serwaa Manu has advocated for women to pay attention to cervical cancer as it’s one of the deadly cancers which affects women.
In an interview on 3FM Lounge on Tuesday, January 28, Dr. Serwaa Manu stated that 2000 women die yearly from cervical cancer in Ghana, stressing that the disease is prevalent in the country.
“Cervical cancer is actually the second most common cancer in women on Ghana after breast cancer. It’s that common. About 3000 women are said to be diagnosed annually in Ghana and out that 2000 die every year,” she asserted.
She further advised women not to heed to misconceptions about the cancer and be screened for early detection and treatment.
“They should not listen to all the misconception that is going on. That it is painful and a whole lot. They should just come and take advantage of free screening,” she said.
Dr. Serwaa Manu urged women to cultivate the habit of eating food that is rich in anti-oxidant and reduce processed foods while exercising a lot to prevent any contraction of the virus.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around 660 000 new cases and around 350 000 deaths in 2022.
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
WHO says women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.
Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are very cost-effective.
Source:
3news.com
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