Papsmear drive debunks fears

Local Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Jayeshnee Moodley says women must empower themselves in the fight against cervical cancer.

Dr Moodley hosted her fourth annual cervical cancer awareness campaign and pap smear drive at Empangeni Life Private Hospital on Thursday and Friday with the first fifty women receiving free pap smears.

‘We said this year that bigger is better and the more ladies we can help, the faster our community will learn about the importance of a pap smear and diagnosis of cervical cancer,’ said Moodley.

‘We did close to a hundred pap smears over two days.’

The campaign, which coincides with Women’s Month, aims to create awareness and debunk the stigma attached to pap smears.

‘Pap smear screening is the only tool we have available to diagnose pre-cancer lesions and ensure appropriate and timeous care for these women.

Since moving to Northern KZN, I have become aware that many women shy away from a pap smear because of the fear and embarrassment associated with the procedure.

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While education and awareness are key points, it is often difficult to encourage women to go for regular tests,’ she said.

Cervical cancer remains a major health concern worldwide, especially in the developing world.

It is the most common gynaecological cancer, affecting one in 42 women.

‘After starting a cervical cancer awareness drive in 2014, 10% of Zululand women were diagnosed with a pre-cancerous lesion, which was subsequently treated and cured.

My main aim is to make women aware of the disease that is crippling our nation and to bury the stigma associated with it,’ Moodley said.

She said she hopes this tradition continues to grow and that ‘we create further awareness around cervical cancer and cancer prevention.’

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