Dr Hjh Norhayati stressing the importanceDoctors and nurses from the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) conducted a talk on the prevention of cervical cancer yesterday at the Gadong Health Clinic as part of the hospital's efforts at increasing public awareness on the subject.
Dr Hjh Norhayati Hj Abdul Hamid spoke on the importance of having regular pap smear tests.
Cervical cancer is the second highest form of cancer contracted by women in Brunei, after breast cancer, she said.
The pap smear test is an effective method to detect cervical cancer which involves scraping some cells from the surface of the cervix that is then smeared onto a glass slide for analysis, doctors said.
In most smear tests the cells seen are normal, but abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells are seen in some cases.
Cervical cancer is a slow-growing cancer that may take many years to develop (between eight and ten years). Initial abnormalities can be detected by regular Pap smear tests. Therefore, doctors recommend that women should undergo regular Pap smear tests to detect any changes.
For women who have never had a pap smear test, it is recommended that the test be carried out in two consecutive years. If both smear results are normal, then subsequent tests will be done every three years.
Pap smear tests can be done at the nearest Well-Woman Clinics, as well as at the outpatient clinics at the nearest health centre.
The test involves inserting a metal object inside the female organ to pry it open so doctors can perform thorough cleaning.
Different sizes will be available for women to choose from depending on their needs, according to Dr Hjh Norhayati, "A woman is at higher risk of contracting cervical cancer if she is sexually active, or has numerous sexual partners," she said.
Bad habits that weaken the immune system, such as smoking, would also increase the chances of contracting the disease, she said.
She is encouraging women to have pap smear tests done on a regular basis, ideally 14 days after the start of their menstrual cycle.
Source: Borneo Bulletin, 27 March 2009
1 comment:
Pap smear is to detect abnormal cells that could have the potential to develop into cervical cancer. Approx 250,000 women are dying each year worldwide from cervical cancer. It is one of the most preventable and curable of all cancers. Most women who die from the disease have never had a Pap smear or not had one within the recommended two-yearly intervals.Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of cervical cancer therefore the only way to know if you have abnormal cells is to have a Pap smear.
http://gcaus.com.au/page/gynaecology/pap-smear-tests | gcaus.com.au/page/gynaecology/pap-smear-tests | GCAUS pap smear | GCAUS pap
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