NAN-H-16
Screening
By Mercy Osajiugo
Minna, Oct. 25, 2017 (NAN) Raise Foundation, an NGO, in Minna says it has carried out free cervical and breast Cancer screening on 100 students of Niger State College of Education, Minna.
The Centre Manager of the NGO, Ms Maureen Chawa, made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Minna.
Chawa, however, said that the number of students screened was not encouraging.
”Out of the 66 females screened for breast cancer, three had lumps in their breast while all the 34 screened for cervical cancer had negative pap test,” Chawa said.
Chawa noted that the poor turnout for the exercise had to do with the people’s phobia for the screening while some were shy.
“I was expecting a good turnout because it was a free exercise, but the reverse was the case in spite the sensitisation and the awareness created.”
Chawa said that such behaviour was inimical to reproductive health and the general well being of the woman.
“Early detection of the ailment saves live, this is what we are after as we do not want a situation where the condition will be out of control.”
She said that cervical cancer occurred when an abnormal cell on the cervix grows out of control.
“It can be successfully treated when it is found early and it is usually found at a very early stage through a pap test.
“Some of the symptoms include bleeding from the vagina between menstrual periods, after sex or after menopause.
“Pain in the lower belly or pelvis, pain during sex and vaginal discharge that is not normal.”
Health experts said that in most cases, cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, adding that woman can contact it through sexual intercourse with someone who has it.
The exercise is the pet project of the Wife of Niger Governor, Dr Amina Bello. (NAN)
MNO/YMU/DUA
Edited by Yakubu Uba/Dada Ahmed