Important to detect cancer early says local obstetrician
The most common cancer among women is that of the cervix. It is preventable, and can be cured if it is detected early.
A local obstetrician and gynaecologist, Prof Letticia Mmaseloadi Moja of Rob Ferreira Hospital, urged women to be informed about different types of cancer that could affect them.
“The most common cancer among women is that of the cervix. It is preventable, and can be cured if it is detected early. “However, we still see a number of women in this province with mostly advanced cancer. The second type is that of the endometrium on the lining of the womb, which is common among elderly women. The third type is ovarian cancer, which is difficult to detect at early stages,” she said.
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Moja urged teenage girls especially to understand their bodies, particularly their menstrual cycles. “They need to track the dates, the number of days they have the flow, the amount and the presence of pain. They need to seek medical advice if any of these are extreme,” she said.
“Both young and old women need to take control of their sexual activity and decide when to start so they can take the necessary precautions.
Contraception is a must for any sexually active woman who is not planning to have a baby. The use of condoms in addition to any other form of contraception also prevents sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV and HPV, which causes cancer of cervix. “A pap smear for all sexually active women and follow-up of results is critical. It is also vital for older women and mothers to openly talk to young girls about teenage pregnancy, which is fully preventable but is a real challenge in this area.”
Also read: Conditions which commonly trouble women during pregnancy
Her passion to render quality services to the less privileged at public hospitals motivates her. “Offering quality service to public sector patients, while teaching and training the next generation of health professionals encourages and motivates my team and I to always put the patient first,” she said.
Moja added that having the patients’ best interests at heart enables her and many of her colleagues to work hard, despite daily challenges in the public health sector.
Moja also has a private practise at Kiaat Hospital, where booking is mandatory.
