DEVELOPING WORLD KILLER

The 3rd world also known as developing world people are faced with a lot of challenges in most aspects. It is true that we are a blessed race,but we are not making good use of the blessings in our possession. All of these challenges are due to lack of organization of our resources and the poor management system deeply rooted in the sphere of self-centeredness.

There are a couple of health related issues that are not a call for concern when projected on an international platform per say, but when brought to our developing world sphere are classified as serious health problem.

One of those that cought my attention is CERVICAL CANCER.

WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?

This is a malignant tumor at the lover portion of the cervix.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb), which connects the vaginal to the main body of the uterus,thus acting as a gate way between them. In a nonpregnant adult, it measures about 25cm in length. It is considered a separate organ from the uterus since it is different from it anatomically (position related) and histological (cellular makeup).

The cervix has a couple of functions, some of which include allowing the flow of menstrual blood to the vagina, directing sperms to the uterus during intercourse, maintenance of pregnancy, aids in the process of child birth, and stops ascending microbes from reaching the uterus .

Cervical cancer, which is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), presents a significant public health threat to women on the African continent – all but one of the top 20 countries worldwide with the highest burden of cervical cancer in 2018 were in Africa.

Cervical cancer progresses slowly from the precancer stage to invasive cancer and it is entirely curable if diagnosed and treated early. The tragedy is that while this type of cancer is one of the most preventable, poor access to prevention, screening and treatment contributes to 90% of deaths.

In developed countries,it doesn’t find itself among the first 10 caused deaths in women, yet it is ranked second in Africa. Developed countries have bridged the gap of poor access to screening and do alot of preventive health via sensitization campaigns and regular screening (PAP SMEAR).

WHAT IS PAP SMEAR?

This is a screenning test done where by cells are collected from the cervix (inner and out) and analysed for changes.

There are cost effective screening tests that are available to detect precancer lesions as well as effective, safe and simple treatment for precancer, thus preventing the development of cancer in these women.

What causes the changes?

The most common factor responsible for this cancer brought about by abnormal cells changes is the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are about 100 different strands of this virus, 40 of them effecting humans and 15 particular to the genitals.

Everyone who is sexually active will become infected with HPV at some point in their lives, because men are healthy careers. While most strains are harmless and will not harm people with a healthy immune system, two types – 16 and 18 – cause 70% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions.

The purpose of this article is to encourage regular screening in women of reproductive age. Let’s not allow what is preventable instead prevent us from exploring our universe.

Don’t forget that preventive health is worth a million times curative.

W. PROSPER.N

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