Cervical Cancer's Toll on Nigerian Women
According to the WHO, cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in women worldwide with a mortality rate of 342,000 deaths and 604,000 new cases in 2020. The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Central America and South-East Asia.
Variations in the incidence of cervical cancer among regions are associated with disparities in the availability of immunisation, screening, and treatment programmes; risk factors such as the prevalence of HIV; and social and economic factors like gender stereotypes, poverty, and sex.
In Nigeria, it is estimated that over 6,436 women die each year from this preventable illness, which is a quiet storm that has a lasting impact on their health and well-being. However, there is hope in this tragedy since it is understood that early detection and prevention are the keys to a better future. Because of this, every January the world focuses on raising awareness of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is particularly dangerous because it progresses silently. Its principal cause is the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is widely transmitted through sexual contact and frequently sits silently until precancerous lesions develop, possibly bursting into full-blown cancer if left uncontrolled.
This disproportionately affects women living in marginalised groups, where stigma, geography, and poverty combine to create a complex web that makes it difficult for them to get important preventative care. Also, cervical cancer is six times more common in women living with HIV than in those without the virus.
Improving prevention and screening rates are essential elements of the campaign to end cervical cancer. Vaccines against the human papillomavirus (HPV) could prevent the vast majority of cases of the disease since the virus is the cause of almost all cases. This can be achieved by giving girls aged 9 to 14 access to the widely available HPV vaccine, providing a strong barrier and halting infection before it even has a chance to spread.
There are six HPV vaccinations on the market as of 2023. All have been demonstrated to be safe and effective in preventing HPV infection and cervical cancer. They offer protection against the high-risk HPV strains 16 and 18, which are responsible for the majority of cervical malignancies.
All females between the ages of 9 and 14 should receive HPV vaccinations as a priority before they start engaging in sexual activity. There are two possible dosages for the vaccination. Ideally, two or three doses should be given to those with weakened immune systems. To prevent men's HPV-related cancers and to further decrease the prevalence of HPV in society, some governments have also decided to vaccinate boys.
The Pap Smear
But prevention is insufficient on its own and the second line of defence is early detection through routine Pap tests which can identify the condition at the precancerous stage and help with treatment. One of the first people to explain the physiological and cytologic features of the female reproductive system was George Nicholas Papanicolaou. His creation of the Papanicolaou test also referred to as the Pap smear, is what made him most famous and revolutionised the early identification of cervical cancer.
Although he initially presented his findings in the 1920s, it wasn't until the 1950s that the test gained wider acceptance and implementation. Beginning at age 21, routine cervical cancer screening with Pap smears or HPV tests should be encouraged enabling women to detect the disease early, when treatment options are most successful.
Unfortunately, the healthcare system, particularly in rural areas where medical services are impossible to access can make this difficult to tackle. Due to a lack of knowledge, financial limitations, and cultural sensitivities, many women are exposed to a quiet threat that is difficult for them to understand, let alone overcome. A solution to this will be to establish community-based education initiatives which will create awareness of the impact of cervical cancer. Expanding into underdeveloped communities and the creation of mobile clinics can provide life-saving screenings to people who most need them.
Although early identification and prevention are effective strategies, the fight against cervical cancer necessitates scientific innovation. The answer to a more decisive win lies in research into more potent vaccines, easily accessible screening tools, and reasonably priced treatment choices. For the latest developments to reach women in even the most remote parts of Nigeria, we need to keep funding research, fostering collaboration between scientists and communities, and disseminating knowledge. Let's ensure that no woman is left behind as we continue to celebrate cervical cancer awareness month worldwide.