By Kei Emmanuel Duku
An alarming number of South Sudanese women and girls are affected by cervical cancer, according to Dr. Idyoro Ojukwu, an Obstetrician/Gynecological Oncologist at Juba University.
Dr. Ojukwu estimates that approximately 700 South Sudanese individuals are currently battling cancer, with cervical cancer accounting for 10% of these cases. The most affected age group is between 25 and 40, although women over 40 are also at significant risk.
Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Early symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse.
In advanced stages, the cancer can spread to other organs, leading to complications like kidney failure.
“Before you get to cancer, there are these stages whereby you get the HPV infection, you get abnormal cells in the cervix, and you get the pre-malignant lesions which are not yet cancer, the HPV can even take more than 20 years until you develop. The age group is between 30 and 50, these are the age bracket where people present with cervical cancer,” stated Dr. Ojukwu.
Dr. Ojukwu emphasized that cervical cancer develops slowly, often taking over 20 years to progress from HPV infection to precancerous lesions and, eventually, invasive cancer.
While younger women may have a better chance of their bodies naturally clearing the HPV infection, regular screening is crucial for early detection and treatment.
The recommended screening methods include Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Pap smears.
HPV testing, although more expensive, is also effective. Dr. Ojukwu encouraged women to undergo regular cervical cancer screenings at established centers in Juba Teaching Hospital, Gurei, Kator Primary Health Center, and Wau Regional Hospital.
“We start by screening girls below the age of 25, you will get more cases, which you suspect as abnormal. However, they still have a chance of clearing it from their body, but when it is already cancer, we do a vaginal examination, and we take a biopsy for histology,” she added.
A study published in July 2023 by the Journal of Cancer and Tumor International found that only 11.5% of women in South Sudan had been screened for cervical cancer.
The low screening rate is attributed to factors such as long waiting times for medical services, lack of HPV vaccination, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.