“I remember the first day I went for cervical cancer screening, I can’t do it again since it is very intrusive, “she said. These were the words of Oliver Godwin from the Mwanza Region.

Cervical cancer examination is becoming a greater challenge for women. According to World Health Organisation (WHO). Almost all cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV. Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2018, an estimated 570, 000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 311,000 women died from the disease according to WHO.

In low-and middle-income countries, there is limited access to these preventative measures and cervical cancer is often not identified until it has further advanced and symptoms develop. In addition, access to treatment of cancerous lesions, for example, cancer surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be limited, resulting in a higher rate of death from cervical cancer in these countries.

According to CDC, the are two screening tests for cervical cancer, one of them is the Pap test commonly known as a pap smear which looks for precancers, and cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The second one is the HPV test which looks for the human papillomavirus that can cause these cell changes.

In Tanzania, current estimates indicate that 10,241 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 6525 die from the disease. Cervical cancer ranks as the first most frequent cancer among women in Tanzania and the first most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.  With these high figures, many women are not ready to go for screening given the intrusive nature of the examination even with experts calling for regular testing and vaccination as effective ways to tackle the disease.

However, some women will hear none of this due to the nature of screening.

Margret Mosha says she cannot go for another test since it is too uncomfortable.

“I felt uncomfortable and embarrassed,” she said.

Monica Wilson explains, “I felt vulnerable and found the procedure invasive,” she said.

Dr Paul Kasese from Nyamagana Hospital in Mwanza had this to say, “Although there are many screening facilities, women still fear to undergo cervical cancer screening and examination,” he said adding that early screening saves lives.

Dr Hanisia Kashimir another medic from Nyamagana Hospital urges women to go for early screening. She added that HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. Most sexually active women and men will be infected at some point in their lives, and some may be repeatedly infected.

“Women should go for screening since cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly, “she said

Doctor Hellen Makwani, a specialist in cancer medical treatment, Clinical Oncology specialist and the founder of Genesis for Palliative Care Service Foundation in Tanzania has this to say concerning cervical cancer;

“It is better to have an early decision on the examination and screening of cervical cancer before reaching the last stage which creates difficulties in treatment,” she said.

Rehema Ramadhan a nurse from Hekima Medical Centre in Zanzibar explains how cervical cancer affects women and girls when lasting to diagnosis

“A patient should not be humiliated and that they should come early for the cervical cancer examination, especially girls from primary school as cervical cancer can be treated well at first and the second stage,” she said.

According to Cancer.net, signs of cervical cancer are blood spots or light bleeding between or following periods, menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual, bleeding after intercourse, douching, or a pelvic examination, increased vaginal discharge, pain during sexual intercourse, bleeding after menopause, unexplained and persistent pelvic and/or back pain.

The Global strategy toward eliminating the public health problem adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2020, recommends a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention and control. The recommended actions include interventions across the life course.

This article is part of African Women in Media (AWIM) Graduate Trainee Programme in collaboration with Fojo Media Institute