Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched a campaign ‘Be Well’, throughout January to raise awareness on cervical cancer. The campaign encourages women to undergo the Pap test and emphasises the need for early screening.
QCS is holding awareness lectures and workshops involving various sectors in the country to raise awareness on the symptoms of the disease, the factors responsible for it, as well as the methods of prevention and cure for the disease.
Rahaf Wasafi, health educator, QCS, explained that cervical cancer is an abnormal growth of the cervical cells and the second most common cancer in women worldwide.
“It can affect any woman mainly between the age of 20 and 50. HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine provides protection against the two major virus types that cause 70% of all cervical cancers and regular Pap tests can prevent around 90% of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer is curable when found and treated early,” added the official.
Major risk factors of the disease are smoking, recurrent cervical infections, family history of cervical cancer, having given birth to three or more children, using birth control pills for a long time as well as lack of screening. Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal discharge and pelvic pain.
The Pap test is a simple one that can be done by any doctor and the best time to do the test is 10-14 days from the first day of the period. The test should be done until the age of 65 and every three years. After the age of 65, the test can be stopped, if the last five Pap tests were normal.
The official noted that cervical cancer often does not cause symptoms until it is advanced, so it is important to start the early detection tests regularly even when people feel healthy. Pap tests can be done in the health centres under Primary Health Care Corporation.
