Being the second most common cancer, and leading cause of deaths among women, cervical cancer kills half a million women every year worldwide.

Although cervical cancer can be prevented or controlled by early intervention, it is still a major concern in developing countries and Lesotho is not exceptional.

According to Mr. Sejojo Phaaroe from the department of Cytology at Queen II Hospital, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Lesotho with a high pick between the age 40-49 and the leading cause of death from cancer amongst women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Its Age Standardised Incidence Rate (ASIR) in Lesotho has been estimated to 66.7 percent in 100 000 people.

Addressing patients and general staff of Qoaling Filter Clinic during the awareness campaign and education about cervical cancer at Qoaling on Tuesday, Mr. Phaaroe said because the treatment of invasive cervical cancer is not available in Lesotho, women need to go for pre-cancer screening before the disease is symptomatic.

He said prevention of cervical cancer by screening is the best option and is also cost effective, noting that it prevents the financial burden incurred by the Lesotho government on referral of advanced cases to South Africa for treatment.

“Treatment is very costly yet the suffering of the affected women could have been saved through early screening of cervical cancer as a preventive measure. Also, the government pays about M108, 000.00 per person for treatment in Bloemfontein South Africa,” he said.

Outlining cause and symptoms of cervical cancer, Mrs. Lefa Monne from the same department said the disease is caused by among others sexually transmitted infections, herpes that occurs in female private parts and long term (5-10 years) usage of contraceptives pills.

She said cervical cancer can take many years to develop and women may not experience symptoms for a long time hence need for women to go for screening before it is too late.

She however mentioned that the symptoms include pain during and after sexual intercourse, heavy bleeding during menstrual period and increased urinary frequency.

One of the villagers opting for anonymity said she had never gone for screening as she did not know the seriousness of cervical cancer.

She said it is time that people know about the disease and take preventive measures before it is too late.

Meanwhile a vaccine to protect women from cervical cancer, which is one of the biggest cancer killers could be available within five years.

According to BBC news, early clinical trials of a vaccine for cervical cancer have shown that it is 100 percent effective and it also protects against genital parts.

The breakthrough could help to save thousands of lives each year.
The vaccine works by triggering the body's immune system to attack the human papiloma virus (HPV), which has been linked to almost all cases of cervical cancer.

Source: LENA 29/07/2008