By Lizzy Carr, Bauchi
The Nigeria Cancer Society has called on mothers to protect their daughters with HPV vaccine against cervical cancer.
Bauchi state chairperson, Dr Habiba Ismail made the call in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Bauchi on Friday.
Speaking on this year’s World Cancer Day, the medical expert said cervical cancer is top on the list of cancers among women followed by breast cancer and prostate for the male population in Bauchi state.
According to her, the vaccine for girls aged between nine and 26 years will help to reduce morbidity and mortality associated to it.
“Unlike HIV, HPV has a vaccine that is given in three doses to girls who are not sexually active.
“Although the vaccine costs N45,000 for three doses, it is life saving. I enjoin mothers to invest in the lives of their daughters.”
Dr Ismail who is also a consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology said that one in 10 patients is diagnosed with cervical cancer, adding that human papaloma virus which is the cause of cervical cancer, is sexually transmissible.
“In this part of the country our girls are exposed to sex at an early age because they are married off early and they are exposes to cellular changes that usually goes unnoticed, also polygamy increase risk of cervical cancer.”
She said for those who are already sexually active, they should expose themselves to regular screening at least after three years.
On the theme of this year – “Close the care gap”, Ismail said cannot be achieved unless governments increase the number of cancer care centres where patients can be diagnosed early and put on treatment .
“There is need for more functional radiotherapy machines, can you imagine that the entire North depends on one machine at the National Hospital Abuja?
“We do send women with stage one cervical cancer but before they can assess therapy, the disease must have advanced to stage two”.
The consultant said the key to cancer prevention is awareness.
“People must have knowledge about cancer to be able to take informed decision. Therapy is expense beyond the reach of the vulnerable, women talk should about cancers in their gatherings”.
The World Cancer Day is celebrated every 4th February to create awareness about cancer and its impact on the population.
