Namibia has a successful cervical cancer screening programme that is estimated to save over 500 lives each year. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) recommends that all women infected with HIV should be screened at yearly intervals irrespective of age.
HIV negative women between the ages of 25-49 should be screened at a three-year interval. Those 50 years and above should be screened at a five-year interval whilst women 65 years and above who are HIV negative if Pap smear is negative at 65 years or above it is not necessary to do another Pap smear test. Sexually active women from 15 to 25 years should have a Pap smear done three years after their first sexual contact.
As per MoHSS guidelines, it is compulsory for all mothers attending six weeks of postnatal care services at local clinics to have a Pap smear done at these visits. It is also compulsory for all HIV positive clients to have all their Pap smears done. These services are offered free of charge at all public hospitals and clinics around the whole country. To book your Pap smear appointment please consult any government hospital/clinic close to you today.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (also known as the neck of the womb), which connects the womb and vagina. Nearly all squamous cervical cancers are caused by a common sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a group of viruses, of which there are more than 100 different types. It is spread through any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, can be through vaginal, anal or oral sex or sharing sex toys. If the body is unable to clear the virus, there is a risk of abnormal cells developing, which could become cancerous over time. Cancer is a silent disease, which means it develops over time and sometimes without any warning signs at all.
Cervical cancer can affect anyone with a cervix at any age but primarily at 30 – 45 years of age. It is very rare under 25 years of age although it can happen. As of 2021, a fact sheet released by Information Centre on HPV and Cancer in Namibia indicated that the country has a population of 825 287 women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate that every year, 375 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 214 die from the disease. Cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women in Namibia and the second most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.
In most cases, vaginal bleeding is the first of the cervical cancer symptoms to be noticeable. It often occurs after having sex. Bleeding at any other time, other than your expected monthly period is also considered unusual, this also includes bleeding after menopause. Most people with these symptoms do not have cervical cancer and are more likely to be experiencing other conditions, such as infections, but if you have any of these symptoms, it is important to get them checked out and treated. Some women may not experience any signs or symptoms of cervical cancer at all until they become seriously ill. Cervical cancer can easily be detected via our screening test called a Pap smear test even when one does not show any symptoms. Therefore, you must attend all your cervical screening appointments.
There appears to be additional risk factors that affect someone’s chance of developing cancer of the cervix which include genes, smoking, immunocompromised people such as people living with HIV/AIDS.
* Hilma Ndakola Iyambo is a registered nurse and midwife pursuing a PhD at Dundee University in the United Kingdom.