Valeria is 26 years old. When she was 21 weeks pregnant, following laboratory tests recommended by her gynecologist, she learned that precancerous cells had been detected on her cervix. She received appropriate treatment throughout her pregnancy and, thanks to the intervention of doctors, she is now holding her daughter in her arms.
Until the pregnancy, Valeria says she had no symptoms that would have raised alarm bells. Last year, due to a Bartholin gland cyst (a gland that secretes fluid to lubricate the vagina), she underwent surgery. The cytological test and subsequent analyses showed that everything was fine.
However, the problem resurfaced in the 21st week of pregnancy, when Valeria noticed a new cyst. She had a cytological test and, after about 14 days, learned the result – the presence of precancerous lesions. The family doctor referred her to the Mother and Child Institute, where she was under the supervision of Diana Văluță, head of the Unit for Coordination of the Implementation of Cervical Screening. Throughout the pregnancy, Valeria was monitored, received pregnancy-compatible treatment and, after 35 weeks of pregnancy, saw her 2,800 kg baby girl in her arms.
Now, Valeria is going to have more tests done, so that the doctor can determine if treatment is needed:
“Thank you to the doctors at the Mother and Child Institute, who supported me during these months. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I am happy to be a mother and to have an angel by my side.”
Her situation is similar to hundreds of women who find out, in the course of a single year, that they have precancerous lesions or cervical cancer. In the Republic of Moldova, one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer every day, while approximately 160 women in our country lose their lives annually because they go to the doctor too late.
Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under the age of 45. This disease develops in the cervix, the part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It occurs when cells in the cervix become abnormal and begin to multiply uncontrollably.
In the early stages, cervical cancer does not cause bleeding or pain, but in the advanced stages of the disease, abnormal bleeding and vaginal discharge occur, accompanied by pain.
The cytological test (PAP test) is a short and painless examination. The doctor will take cells from the cervix, using a special brush. These cells will be sent to a laboratory, where they will be examined under a microscope. The test is recommended for all women between the ages of 25 and 61. It is free even for women without health insurance, in public medical institutions. You just need to make an appointment with your family doctor.
Health centers in the Republic of Moldova are equipped with protective equipment. Medical workers are trained to ensure that the cytological test is performed in safe conditions for women’s health. In addition, women who receive a result showing some abnormalities in the cells of the cervix can go to the Institute of Mother and Child, to undergo colposcopy investigations, meaning that their cervix will be examined in detail and subsequently they will receive appropriate treatment.
“The rate of referral to the colposcopy service increased by 40%. The treatment rate due to severe precancerous lesions tripled, reaching 78% of all confirmed patients. 81% of all cancer cases were diagnosed at stage I,” noted Health Minister Ala Nemerenco.
For the 11th consecutive year, in January, the National Campaign for Information on Cervical Cancer Prevention is launched. The theme of this year’s Campaign is “Stay healthy! Get a Pap test! Get vaccinated against HPV infection!”. It will run from January 23 to February 4, ending on World Cancer Day.
This year, the Campaign will include two components: performing the cytological test and administering the anti-HPV vaccine. The vaccine used in the Republic of Moldova is called Gardasil and provides protection against 4 types of HPV (6, 11, 16 and 18), which most often lead to the appearance of cervical cancer or the development of genital warts. The World Health Organization recommends the vaccination of girls aged 9 to 14 years, that is, before the onset of sexual life, as a priority.
Diana Lesnic-Răscoală received this vaccine in 2010, when it was first available in our country. Eight years later, she stepped foot in the immunization clinic again. This time, with her daughter, Emilia, who received two doses of the HPV vaccine, six months apart. Now, Emilia, who has reached the age of 15, urges all girls to request this vaccine, which is free, to be healthy.
National post-intervention study about knowledge, attitudes and practices in the field of cervical cancer prevention in the Republic of Moldova, conducted in the fall of 2020, showed that the share of women who performed the cytology test increased about twice in 2020, compared to 2018, which is 63% compared to 36%. However, many women still refuse to do the test, for various reasons: lack of time, fear, not knowing where to go to get the test.
Rodica Ceavdari has been a family doctor for 20 years. She claims that she has over 2,300 people under her care and informs women about the cytological test every year, including those who work abroad:
“We also follow them on social media, we let them know to visit their family doctor when they come to the country. Family medicine has a lot on its shoulders, but it is a member of a large family. My daughter is a student in Germany, I urged her to take this test and she took my recommendation into account. I want to have her by my side, healthy, to be not only a mother, but also a grandmother and great-grandmother.”
Recently, the family doctor published an announcement on the Facebook profile in which it announced which women, according to their year of birth, should have the cytology test, as well as urged all women aged 25-61 to see a doctor if they have any symptoms or if they have not previously had the cytology test.
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week in the Republic of Moldova, 2023 edition, is organized with the support of the Ministry of Health, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Platform of Women Deputies within the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
Original Source: suntparinte.md
