‘Get regular tests’
IN terms of prevalence, cervical cancer is second to breast cancer in Fiji, says International Planned Parenthood Federation director programs and operations Pacific Chris Golden.
“Currently cervical cancer is about 30 cases per 100,000 in Fiji,” he said.
“Unfortunately, cervical cancer is something that’s not at all unique to the Pacific but thanks to vaccination campaigns the numbers have gone down in Fiji.
“Cervical cancer is also a preventable cancer – unlike breast cancer which is not the easiest to prevent.
“In the case of cervical cancer, it is very much caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) – it is preventable through safe sex, contraception, but it is also something that can be vaccinated against.”
Mr Golden said the Pacific not having access to cervical cancer testing was one of the many reasons women and girls did not have regular checkups.
“Traditionally you do a Pap smear, you then go get tested and most times countries in the Pacific when you say send it off for testing – it ends up going off to New Zealand which is further away. This means it takes about three to six months to get results and that’s a big deal when you’re talking about cancer.”
He also said awareness played an important role in the early prevention of cervical cancer.
“Getting Pap smears is very important but what we also want to do is increase the access to testing. We also work with a lot of youth with giving them sexual education and we also teach them about cervical cancer.”
Mr Golden urged women and girls to get regular Pap smear tests.
“If you do have access to the HPV vaccine ensure that you as well as your children are vaccinated.”