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In an ongoing effort to fight cervical cancer, Dr Jayeshnee Moodley hosted her 11th annual free pap smear community outreach this past month.
Coinciding with Women’s Month, Dr Moodley aims to inspire women to prioritise their health.
“When I arrived in Zululand, I realised that women take their health for granted and never make themselves a priority,” explained Dr Moodley, a resident gynaecologist and obstetrician at Melomed Private Hospital Richards Bay.
“Furthermore, the highest incidence of cervical cancer comes from Zululand. Screening is such an important tool in the prevention of cancer, yet Zululanders were not accessing this, despite so many friends and colleagues dying daily.
“My aim is to dispel the fears and myths regarding pap smears and make it freely available in a safe environment for all women in our community.”
4 venues: 250 women screened
Endorsed by Melomed and supported by PathCare lab, Dr Moodley held her pap smear drive at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital, Ngwelezane Hospital, her office at Melomed Richards Bay, and Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre.
BB Bakeries was there to show their support where a total of 250 women were screened.
Early detection
Pap tests can detect pre-cancerous cell changes before they have a chance to turn into cancer, making pap smears such a crucial part of early cancer detection.
During Dr Moodley’s pap smear drive, she picked up 63 cases of pre-cancer.
“I have contacted these women to counsel them on their results. It is always important to highlight that this is the basis of pap smears – to pick up abnormalities before they develop into cancer and to definitively treat them for complete cure and prevention,” she explained.
“These women have been booked for a day procedure called a colposcopy to safely eradicate this disease. For those who are not medically insured, I will be performing this procedure at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital.”
Breast cancer awareness
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, affecting women as young as 40 years.
For that reason, Dr Moodley collaborated with the new plastic surgeon at Melomed, Dr Mariëtte Mouton.
“A plastic surgeon is part of a breast care team managing patients. Our role is to assist with the reconstruction of the breast post-cancer surgery,” Dr Mouton explained.
“Earlier detection means there is a bigger chance of the patient having breast conservation, where part of the breast tissue is preserved and a plastic surgeon can rearrange the tissue to recreate a new breast.”
During the last leg of the pap smear drive at Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre, Dr Mouton conducted clinical breast exams on more than 50 women.
“During this examination, risk factors for breast cancer were identified and all patients were taught how to do a breast self-examination, which they need to conduct monthly,” Dr Mouton said.
She also educated them on the importance of an annual clinical examination by a doctor, and a mammogram if they are 40 years or older.
Dr Mouton identified several patients requiring urgent mammograms and one patient with possible early-stage breast cancer who was referred.
“Women need to prioritise monthly self-examinations. Being self-aware allows them to pick up early changes in the breast, which means early detection and management of breast cancer,” she said.
Pap smears save lives
“Women are the backbone of the families and communities. If they do not choose to be their own healthcare advocates, it is ultimately their families that suffer” Dr Moodley
“Women need to be empowered to understand their bodies, know their healthcare risks, and be informed of the opportunities available to access screening and care.
“Healthcare should not be a scary experience. My priority is to manage my patients in an open and safe space, to feel comfortable discussing their hopes and fears with me.”
