By: John Kariuki
A study has confirmed that HIV positive women are at a higher risk of getting cervical cancer and should be screened annually.
Reacting to this, Dr. Catherine Nyongesa of the Texas Cancer Center observed:
“Women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.Screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions is a cost-effective way to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.”
The report further alludes that women 50-65 years are still at risk for Cervical Cancer and should get screened regularly.
Dr. Nyongesa adds
“World Health Assembly in 2020 recommends a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention and control.
- Primary prevention Girls 9-14 years, HPV vaccination , Sex education tailored to age and culture and Condom promotion and provision for those engaged in sexual activity
- Secondary prevention from 30 years of age for women from the general population and 25 years of age for women living with HIV. Screening with a high-performance test equivalent or better than HPV test, followed by immediate treatment or as quickly as possible after an HPV molecular positive test. Women 50-65 years are in this category too.
- Tertiary prevention :Treatment of invasive cancer at any age
Dr Catherine Nyongesa is a pioneer medical practitioner who founded the Texas Cancer Center in Kenya as the first woman.
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