By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
Published: May 14, 2009, 10:30
http://archive.gulfnews.com/nation/Health/10313458.html
Dubai: Women in the UAE are dying at a younger age from cervical cancer, about ten years younger than the world average of 49, prompting doctors to call for better awareness and prevention.
Dr Sa'ad Gazzal Aswad, head of obstetrics and gynecology at Tawam Hospital said at a press conference on Wednesday that he was seeing more and more women between the age of 35 and 40, instead of 50 a decade ago.
"I don't know why; we will have to study more. But the point is that it affects young women of childbearing age with children, leaving (the children) when they die," he told Gulf News later.
"The impact is really sad. I had a 32-year old patient who died and she had nine children, the youngest is 2. The cancer affects not just the person but the whole family," he said.
He added the patient, like more than 70 per cent of all cases he has been receiving, was referred to him when her cancer was already considered advanced and had a lower rate of survival. According to Tawam Hospital records, about 100 cases of cervical cancer were recorded last year.
Furthermore, more women in their 20s were presenting with abnormal pap smears, or pre-cancerous lesions.
Cervical cancer is caused by strains 16 and 18 of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is the same virus (but different strain) that causes genital warts. It is transmitted through sexual contact, which does not necessarily involve sexual intercourse. There are two vaccines available to prevent the cancer, but only one is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Dr Wissam Haddadin, franchise manager of the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil, produced by Merck, Sharpe and Dohme, said more awareness and prevention were needed to stop the preventable disease from striking women down.
"Some people don't realise (in cervical cancer's case) there is a causative agent," she said.
She added prevention and awareness in the region was very low, saying a 2006 informal survey the company conducted found about 20 per cent of women questioned knew what a pap smear was and only 9 per cent did it.
Pap smear is a screening procedure, in which a cell scraping is taken from the cervix and examined for pre-cancerous lesions.
Some screening programmes are taking place, including at primary healthcare centres under the Ministry of Health. Private medical centres also offer the service. However, there is no comprehensive and uniform policy in place to ensure all women in the UAE are being screened for the cancer.
Do you have regular checkups? Do people avoid being checked for fear of having an illness? Do you know of anyone who had successfully battled cancer due to early detection?
Your comments
The article has definitely created awareness about cervical cancer. More information regarding symptoms, causes and cures would help readers understand the disease better. Also at what age must a woman get herself tested and details could help women to have regular checkups. Generally people avoid checkups either because they are very busy in their family life, they feel fit or they have a fear of having an illness. Women (especially working women) lead a hectic life and have no time for themselves. My cousin?s wife (age 37) was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She underwent mastectomy and then chemotherapy and radiation and now is leading an almost normal life. She feels weak at times and does not have the energy she had before the illness. Cancer is a killer disease and fighting it is possible if detected in the early stages. Awareness about the disease and its various forms must be spread so that people will not hesitate to go for required tests. Regular exercise and a healthy diet could ward off most diseases. A regular checkup even if a person is perfectly fine and healthy is necessary.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2009, 17:23
Doctors should advise the women to do this Pap smear test and should encourage them to do it, there is no harm if the doctor will tell his patient to do this check up test, I told my wife to do a full check up and they didn't even tell her about this test.
Samer K.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2009, 17:20
I had been experiencing abnormalities in my menstrual cycle. When I came to Dubai, I decided to visit an OB/Gynaecologist for a check up. I found out that a year after giving birth, I must have a pap test and also that the doctor discovered some infection. And she told me that if I had taken long to seek doctor's advice, it could lead to cervical cancer. So, that is when I realised that a single infection that I didn't mind for a long time could worsen my health. So, now, I do my pap test every year to check the condition of my cervix. It is good for women to be aware and please do not be ashamed of this kind of situation. Doctors are here to understand us and to help us prevent the sickness. Always remember that Prevention is better that CURE.
Mhadzie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2009, 11:44
I am a mother and know how preoccupied my lot is with looking after our young children and families. Most mothers are so busy attending to the needs of the rest of the family members that they hardly have ANY time left for themselves. This lack of time for oneself often does take quite a toll on the mothers. I sincerely appreciate such eye-opening articles by Gulf News. Please continue the good work.
Shiuli Dutt Dey
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2009, 11:43
the issue is that most of these tests are not even covered by insurance so unfortunatly people think about the financial aspect. Insurance should cover one test on a regular basis, this would also save them money when curing at an early stage instead of big expenses at a late stage.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2009, 11:00
There definitely should be more awareness about Cervical cancer, since it is becoming very common among women at a very early age.The worst thing about this cancer is that it is diagnosed at 3rd or 4th stage and it becomes too late to save the patient then. I would like to urge every woman to educate themselves by reading about cervical cancer and to take precautionary measures in advance. Also, it is important to spread the awareness about the disease among my friends and family. Being 23 years old, I would like to get preventive vaccination for the same. I would like to know about hospitals and clinics which would conduct the necessary test. I think the authorities should take measures to spread the awareness among women. Many people haven't even heard about this disease.
Zahrah
Dubai,UAE
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