Early detection could save your dear ones from cervical cancer

To mark Cervical Health Awareness Month, which falls in January of every year, doctors in the UAE have urged women to understand the importance of early detection, in order to treat the disease in its early stages and potentially save health.
Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in the UAE, preceded by breast cancer. The number of cervical cancer cases in the UAE accounts for seven per cent of the overall number of female cancers cases.
Dr Marwan Munir Kamil, obstetrics and gynaecology consultant at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children, told Khaleej Times the importance of raising awareness on early detection and prevention of the disease, noting that tests often take only minutes to complete.
"About 10-15 years ago we were speaking about protection during relationships, but now we also have a vaccine for the virus that can protect against the disease by 90-93 per cent. In the UAE, the vaccine is given to females around the ages of 15-17 years old - the vaccine is not a treatment, but it is a prevention."
According to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, more than 35 women in Abu Dhabi are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, most of which are between 35 and 55 years old. Moreover, more than 55 cervical cancer cases are registered every year in the UAE.
Studies have also indicated that eight out of every 10 women are prone to the infection of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) once in their lifetime, although most recover on their own with no symptoms.
However, Dr Kamil noted that the HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer, as the infection may develop in other cases within 10 to 20 years, causing abnormalities in cervical cells, which eventually leads to cervical cancer.
Dr Kamil said studies reveal that early detection prevents the development of cervical cancer by more than 92 per cent.
"Most international scientific studies showed HPV caused more than 98 per cent of cervical cancers. There are 15 types of HPVs and a pap smear can help detect cervical cancer early."
Dr Kamil noted that the cancer is also associated with unhealthy diets, obesity, smoking and alcohol use, as well as having an early sexual start of life, multi partners and sexually transmitted diseases.
However, he noted that more women are now visiting their gynaecologists for screenings, as a result of the awareness initiatives.
In 2016, more than 2,750 women underwent pap tests, of which 135 needed colposcopies. However, their test results showed that none of these women had cancer.
"The cancer trend is decreasing in the UAE and around the world, but the main decrease in numbers will show more in the future."
Dr Faten Abu Zomar, consultant obstetrics and gynaecology at HealthPlus Women's Health and Fertility Centre, explained that women between 25-65, and married women under 25, should undergo screenings. "The examination is usually repeated every three years for women between 25 and 49 years old, while women aged 50-65 years old undergo pap tests every five years."
She noted that HPV vaccination against cervical cancer is available since it was approved by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi in 2008, adding that it is given for free to students aged 15-17 at Abu Dhabi's public and private schools.

• Abu Dhabi