CERVICAL CANCER CASES ON THE RISE

NATIONWIDE.... Sabaratnam (right) and Dr Krishna launch the nationwide ‘Stand Up to Women’s Cancers!’ programme.

By : MARILYN TEN

KUCHING: The incidence of cervical cancer in Malaysia has risen with over 1,100 women diagnosed with the disease annually.

“According to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report 2007, cervical cancer was documented as the third most common cancer among Malaysian women and the second most common cancer among women globally,” said International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Figo) president elect Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran.

He said this during the launching of ‘Stand Up to Women’s Cancers!’ programme, which was held in conjunction with the 10th Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Congress here yesterday.

“These figures should not be taken lightly. It is clear that if we do not begin to take immediate proactive measures, this problem will continue unchecked and affect more and more Malaysian women,” said Sabaratnam, pointing out women could take three simple steps to safeguard their health.

“The first step is to be aware that cervical cancer is very real and that ignorance is not a defence. Secondly, preventive steps must be taken to mitigate your risks and you can achieve this by going for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations and thirdly, make it a point to go for regular screening as this allows you to have a better chance at beating the cancer if it is detected early enough,” he advised.

Common cervical cancer symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, unusual heavy discharge, pelvic pain and pain during urination, he said, were usually dismissed as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).

Meanwhile, Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Malaysia (OGSM) president and ‘Stand Up to Women’s Cancers!’ chairman Dr Krishna Kumar told reporters that this initiative organised by OGSM in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) and National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) aimed to disseminate and collectively channel the message to the public on the importance of being proactive in preventing the onset of gynaecological cancers via simple steps such as HPV vaccinations and going for regular health screenings to detect any abnormal growths.

“As proponents of women’s health, we are embarking on this ambitious plan to launch this programme to increase the awareness of cancers among women especially young women in their adolescence and early adulthood in Malaysia about the rise of cancers and how they can prevent them,” he said.

The first phase of the programme, Dr Krishna said would be to increase the awareness of cervical cancers especially to those who have been left out by the Ministry of Health and LPPKN’s initiative for free vaccinations for certain age groups.

“The aim is also to help the public realise the urgency that exists when it comes to evaluating and taking the first step of cancer prevention by undergoing scheduled screenings and effective vaccinations,” he said, adding that the programme will also include a series of fun and interactive educational roadshows in various educational institutions nationwide from next month.

Cooperating with several global healthcare leaders that specialise in protecting community well-being through vaccines, OGSM will launch a mass vaccination drive and also an early screening programme whereby a woman who reaches the age of 25 will receive an automatic invitation to undergo gynaecological screenings at a participating screening partner or clinic.

Vaccination drives will be launched from September and the National Advisory Board for Women’s Cancers will see that these efforts are maintained at a successful level. (theborneopost)