CERVIX CANCER PART 2

CANCER OF THE CERVIX PART 2

In this series we shall be looking at the symptoms of cancer of the cervix

Like I highlighted in the previous article on this topic, cancer of cervix is the second commonest cancer in women and it is a major killer. The good news is that if diagnosed early it can be treated with excellent outcomes. Cervical screening is a good way of identifying cells that will turn into cancer and if detected early these cells can be destroyed so they don't become cancerous.
It is therefore crucial that every woman especially those between 20 and 65 years go for cervical screening ( pap /cervical smear).

What are the symptoms of this killer disease?

It may show no symptom until it becomes advanced at which stage it may be incurable. It is therefore essential that early diagnosis is made, hence the need to go for cervical screening.

There are however some symptoms that are associated with this disease . These include the following:

• The commonest symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. By this I mean vaginal bleeding that is not the normal menstrual bleeding.

Examples are

* coital and post-coital bleeding: This is vaginal bleeding during and after sexual intercourse.

* Intermenstrual bleeding:
This is bleeding in between your normal periods

* Post menopausal bleeding
This is bleeding in women who have attained menopause ( means they have normally stopped seeing their periods)

* Contact bleeding:
This is bleeding for example while you are douching or when your vagina is being examined with fingers or speculum by your doctor or nurse.

Before I become a scare monger, I must stress that not all cases of abnormal vaginal bleeding is due to cancer of the cervix. There are several other causes.

Apart from abnormal vaginal bleeding, other symptoms of cervical cancer are

• Painful sex (dyspareunia):
I am also not saying that every woman that experiences discomfort or pain during sex has cancer of the cervix. As always there are other possible causes of painful sex ranging from simple reasons lack of sexual lubrication in the woman, the male partner having an oversized penis, to vaginal infection and so on and so forth.

• Vaginal discharge which is often foul smelling :

Like we know there are other causes of offensive vaginal discharge like bacterial vaginosis (BV) etc.

• Pelvic pain

• Dysuria ( pain or burning sensation during urination)

My advice is that any woman who experiences abnormal vaginal bleeding , vaginal discharge etc must go and see her doctor as a matter of urgency.

Let me also quickly add that at advanced stages cancer of the cervix may show other symptoms especially when it has spread to other organs. Some of those symptoms include

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Tiredness/lethargy
• Constipation
• Bone pain
• Change in bowel and bladder habits
• Leg swelling
• Passing blood in urine (haematuria)
• Urinary incontinence
• Several others

Watch out for a follow up article discussing how to diagnose cancer of the cervix, treatment etc.

Thanks for reading
Dr Chin Akano

NEW PROJECTS

CONFERENCE OF CATHOLICS BISHOPS

BELOW ARE THE NEWS PICTURES FOR THE CONFERENCE OF CATHOLICS BISHOPS OF NIGERIA HELD IN UMUAHIA, CAPITAL OF ABIA STATE.

Many organizations and corporate bodies are now finding Abia State a suitable destination for conferences, summits, investments, etc. It's worthy to note that the Government of Abia State has invested well to restore peace and security, promote economic growth and safeguard the State interest.

> Pix 1, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state in a handshake with his Anambra state counterpart Gov. Peter Obi at a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops' of Nigeria in Umuahia, watching is Chief Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji, wife of Abia state governor.

> Pix 2, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state with his wife Chief Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji and Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) after a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria in Umuahia.

> Pix 3, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state and his wife Chief Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji (3rd left), Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) middle, President, Conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria, and Bishop of Jos, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama (on the minister’s right), Representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Augustine Kaujja, Papal Nunico to Nigeria (6th left) and Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state in a group photograph after a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria in Umuahia.

> Pix 4, L-R Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state and Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) departing from the venue after a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops' of Nigeria in Umuahia.

> Pix 5, L-R Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan), Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state and Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo state at the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia.

> Pix 6 and 7, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state exchanging pleasantries with the President, Conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria, and Bishop of Jos, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama during the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia, watching is Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan).

> Pix 8, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state exchanging greetings with Representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Augustine Kaujja, Papal Nunico to Nigeria at the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia.

> Pix 9, Representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Augustine Kaujja, Papal Nunico to Nigeria, President, Conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria, and Bishop of Jos, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama, Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) and Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state at the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia.

THE ROLE OF MULTIPLE SEX PARTNER IN CERVICAL CANCER

Contacting Cancer through sexual intercourse!!!!!

Do women know that they can develop a cancer through sexual intercourse?

If they are not aware, cervical cancer ( cancer of the cervix) can develop as a result of a sexually transmitted disease known as human papilloma virus. ( HPV).

This virus is passed by men to their female sex partners but the irony is that the male carrier usually show no symptom and therefore not even aware that they are harbouring such a disease.

Before I go any further let me refresh our memory that the cervix is the neck of the womb. It is the area linking the vagina and the womb ( uterus).

Cancer of the cervix is the second commonest cancer in women ( breast cancer is the commonest) and it is quite deadly.

Is there hope for the women?

Yes there is hope. Every sexually active woman should go for a cervical smear , often known as pap smear.

What is this?

This is a screening test that detects changes in the cervix. It is not a test for cancer but one that can reveal if your cervix has undergone changes that can lead to cancer.

If these changes are detected early, they can be treated completely and successfully preventing the development of the cancer.

How is this smear done?

Your doctor or nurse will pass an instrument called speculum through your vagina to reveal the cervix and use another known as spatula to sweep around your cervix and collect cells . These cells are checked out in the laboratory for pre-cancerous cells.

Advanced countries like UK have a robust cervical screening programme for women between the ages of 25 and 64 years where they are invited for screening every 3 to 5 years, depending on their age.
In the UK this programme has been quite successful in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
There has also been plan to involve also women 20 years and above now in this screening programme.

So the message is that every woman within this age category of 20 to 64 years should go for a cervical smear immediately and if the results are normal, to repeat it every 3 to 5 years.

If however the result is abnormal they should see a good gynaecologist or oncologist immediately.

Apart from the cervical smear, there is also available vaccination against this virus (HPV). I am therefore advising young women who are sexually active to take advantage of this vaccination to prevent them contracting this infection that can cause cancer of the cervix.

Of course another advice is to avoid multiple sexual partners and most importantly always use a condom.

More on cancer of the cervix to follow.

Thanks for reading

Dr Chin Akano

ABIA @ 21

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, at an event held to mark the 21st anniversary of the state on Monday, paid tribute to the founding fathers of the state.

Orji said that the sacrifices made by the founding fathers, both living and dead, cannot be wished away.

According to him, having laid the foundation of the modern day Abia, the government and the people of the state will forever cherish, remember and honour them.

He also stated that Abia has progressed steadily since its creation, despite the challenges facing it.

The governor stressed that the 21st anniversary celebration provides the government and people of the state with another avenue to thank God for his protection and mercies, and equally reflect on the achievements made so far and the challenges ahead.

Orji added that his administration is determined to make positive impacts on the lives of the citizens, adding that having provided security, he would strive to complete the legacy projects initiated by his administration.

Those who received awards at the event include Chief John Sam Obu, Chief coach of the U-20 national football team, and Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Editor of Thisday newspaper.

Dignitaries present during a church service to mark Abia State at 21 in Umuahia include: Chief Bob Ogbuagu; Rt. Hon. Acho Nwakanma; Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, General Ike Nwachukwu; Dr. Anagha Ezikpe, Chairman of Abia advisory council; Sir Emeka Ananaba, Deputy Governor of Abia state and Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-chukwu, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly.

HERE ARE MORE PICTURES FROM THE ANNIVERSARY:

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