WINDHOEK – The number of cervical cancer cases among women in Namibia has increased by 50 percent, making it the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in Namibia.
This is despite the fact that cervical cancer is detectable, preventable and treatable, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) country director, Dr Eric Dzuiban.
Dzuiban spoke yesterday at the launch of the national cervical cancer prevention guidelines. “These guidelines are vital to help reduce the number of cases of cervical cancer in Namibia. If we can identify women who have precancerous lesions and treat these lesions before they become cancerous, we are making a real impact on real lives of Namibian women,” said Dzuiban.
He said this is even more urgent for women living with HIV because their cervical lesions are four to five times more likely to become deadly cancers.
“Truly, this is a problem that cannot wait any longer,” added Dzuiban. He explained that the guidelines launched a new phase for cervical cancer screening in Namibia. This is because it introduces the “screen and treat” approach by using visualisation with acetic acid, called VIA.
“We are eliminating the long waiting times for women to be identified with precancerous lesions and referred for further treatment. With the old system, by the time this care is received, the cancer is often at an advanced stage,” explained the CDC country director.
He also remarked that VIA is simple, cost effective and highly efficient. “It uses something so humble as table vinegar to identify women with abnormal precancerous lesions. Acetic acid or vinegar when applied to the women’s cervix will cause the cervix to change colour if there is the presence of abnormal cells,” he revealed.
The healthcare provider can immediately see the colour change and treat the abnormal cells with a freezing technique called cryotherapy, Dzuiban pointed out.
“By the end of a 15 minute clinical visit, a woman can go from having the threat of precancerous cells growing and turning into cancer to being completed treated and healthy. That is the kind of high impact medical services that we providers love to give and that Namibians want to receive,” stated Dzuiban. Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Juliet Kavetuna, speaking at the same event, commented that it is unjustifiable that women who are infected by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, should die of cancer if the prevention and treatment strategies are available. “The ministry therefore is planning to introduce the HPV vaccine in Namibia next year. This important primary prevention measure is anticipated to vaccinate all girls between the ages of 9 and13 years,” revealed the deputy minister.
She added that VIA and cryotherapy that leads to the early detection of cervical cancer are now increasingly affordable for lower- and middle-income countries, Namibia included.
“Cervical cancer screening services can therefore become much more readily available,” Kavetuna stated.