Cervical cancer: I felt like the ground disappeared – survivor

The doctor had no better way to drop the ‘bomb’. After reviewing the test results, as gently as possible, he said: “Madam, you have cervical cancer!”

In a second, the woman felt dizzy. The ground seemed to be shifting. “I remember the day my doctor sat me down and said, ‘Madam, you have cervical cancer.’ I felt like the very ground I stood on had disappeared, sending me into free-fall. I was in my 30s, had a family, and felt healthy most of the time,” Mrs Clara Adeyemi recalls.

Her life changed from that moment.  “I never thought I’d be at risk for something like this. But cervical cancer doesn’t care about your age, your health, or your family. It’s something that every woman needs to be aware of,” she told Medialord.ng.

Today, Mrs Adeyemi is a 35-year-old Nigerian woman who lives in Lagos. She is a wife, mother of two, and now an advocate for women’s health.  Despite the emotional toll, she has become a vocal advocate for cervical cancer awareness in Nigeria and across Africa. Through her own experience, there is  a lot to learn about the ailment.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb) that connects to the vagina. It is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. And it typically develops slowly over several years. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a recent post, “every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women in African region.”

Cervical cancer is most often caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). WHO says this is a group of viruses that are transmitted through sexual contact. In fact, HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and it is responsible for approximately 99% of cases.

Sadly, many women have no idea about HPV. Mrs Adeyemi, for instance, confesses that she did not until her encounter with the doctor. The doctor opened her eyes. “For many years, I didn’t know what HPV was. I thought it was something that only affected older women or women who had multiple sexual partners.”

But she found out later that HPV is very common. Most sexually active women will be exposed to it at some point. Only a small percentage will develop cancer, but it still affects too many women.

Why women die from cervical cancer

An Oncologist, Dr. Temi Adewumi, explains that the immune system usually clear the HPV infections  within a couple of years. But if the infection persists and causes changes in the cells of the cervix, it may lead to cancer. Other risk factors include smoking, a weakened immune system and prolonged use of birth control pills.

WHO explains why cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women in low and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. Many women are diagnosed too late, when the cancer has spread and treatment is less effective, it says.

In Mrs Adeyemi’s  case, she was lucky because it was discovered early. Not all women have the same experience. Many women do not have access to regular screenings. Some do not know about preventive measures like the HPV vaccine. By the time they are diagnosed, the cancer is often in an advanced stage, Dr Adewumi explains.

A global health malaise

Cervical cancer is a global heath crisis, but it is more prevalent in low-resource settings. This is because of  limited access to screening, vaccination, and treatment.

Who estimates that about 660,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. More than 350,000 die from it annually. In Africa,  there are over 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Nigeria records about 14,000 women with cervical cancer each year, going by the WHO report. The mortality rate is similarly high, with over 8,000 deaths reported annually.

Is cervical cancer treatable?

Yes, cervical cancer is treatable, but the key to survival is early detection, says Dr. Adewumi. Mrs Adeyemi’s survival story is a testament to how early diagnosis can save lives. If detected early, cervical cancer is treatable with surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of both.

In Mrs Adeyemi’s words: “I was diagnosed early through regular screenings, and that made a huge difference. I had to undergo surgery to remove the affected tissue, and I’m currently undergoing regular check-ups. I’m lucky, but many women don’t get the same opportunity. Many don’t even have access to healthcare or aren’t aware of the signs.”

Interestingly, the ailment is not just treatable, it is also preventable. WHO recommends HPV vaccine for prevention. The vaccine is most effective when given to girls aged 9-14 years before they are exposed to the virus. Amina Abubakar, a Health Advocate, confirms.”Cervical cancer is preventable, but we must make the necessary healthcare services available to all women, especially in rural areas. We can save lives if we prioritize women’s health and make vaccines and screenings more accessible,” she said.

There is also the aspect of regular health education, Dr Adewumi points out. “The key to reducing cervical cancer mortality in Africa is education and access to screening. In many African countries, including Nigeria, cervical cancer is still underdiagnosed. National programs aimed at increasing access to screening and HPV vaccination are vital. Women need to know that prevention is possible.”

Grace Akinmoladun, Public Health expert, agrees. She then charges governments and organizations to increase awareness campaigns.  “Government must create policies that facilitate access to affordable screening and vaccination. We must encourage women to seek regular check-ups. Early detection saves lives, ” she added.