Noble Effort To Boost Awareness On Cervical Cancer

By Hazlinda Hamzah This is the first part of two features on cervical cancer awareness among women. The following article is about the effort by the Cancer Awareness and Screening Society (Caress) and Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) for residents of Pulau Indah in Selangor state of Malaysia. PULAU INDAH (Selangor, Malaysia), July 24 (Bernama) -- Artini Ariffin and the other residents here have described the efforts undertaken by the Cancer Awareness and Screening Society (Caress) as being noble. Caress, in collaboration with Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital's (HTAR) Gynaecology and Obstetric Department, is carrying out a programme to improve awareness about cervical cancer among this island's population, particularly the women. Cervical cancer attacks women and without taking steps to prevent and treat it, this cancer can be fatal. The cancer awareness programme is supported by the Malaysian Health Promotion Board, Malaysian Gynaecology and Obstetric Society (OGSM) and Malaysian Medical association (MMA). Pahang-born Artini, who has lived on the island for 13 years, said she was elated after learning that the island was chosen by HTAR for the cancer awareness programme. "In order for us to reach HTAR, it takes at least one hour. The services by Caress, as well as doctors and nurses from HTAR, are like a 'godsend' to us," Artini told this writer here. Pulau Indah, formerly known as Pulau Lumut, lies in the west of Port Klang or, more specifically, the 'West Port'. A bridge links this island to Teluk Gong on the mainland. The island has a population of more than 10,000, and the majority are Malays. There are also 300 Orang Asli residents. EMBARASSED AND FEAR According to medical experts, cervical cancer is caused by the 'Human Papillomavirus' or HPV virus and transmission is caused by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activities. "Initially, many among us felt embarrassed to discuss this issue openly. "But after having it explained that prevention is better than cure, we want more information about this cancer," said Artini. The teacher said that many among the island's women residents felt too shy to undergo a 'pap smear' test, but after they were briefed by the HTAR staff, about 90 per cent agreed to take the test. The remaining 10 per cent of the women declined to take the test or learn more about cervical cancer, she said. The pap smear is a screening for cervical cancer where cells from the cervix are taken for pathological examination. PROGRAMME Kelantan-born Dermawani Mamat is another resident here who actively participates in this cancer awareness programme. Dermawani would send SMS texts to programme participants to remind them of the briefing sessions, which are held at government village health clinics. "Before a session of the programme begins at the government village health clinics, I send SMS texts to remind villagers about the programme to be held for the day. "In the early stages, there were those who showed positive responses and others who remained quiet, but there are also many who rejected participating in the programme. It was quite difficult to ask them to join (the programme)", said Dermaswani, who is an administrative executive at a factory on the island. The villages involved in this programme are Sungai Pinang, Perigi Nanas, Teluk Nipah dan Sungai Kembong. HEALTH INFORMATION "We get more knowledge about the required level of healthcare, particularly measures to avoid cervical cancer from the HTAR staff who visited the people here", she said. This programme has also drawn a positive response from the men. The headman for Kampung Sungai Pinang, Abdul Haris Bahrun, said the health awareness programme also provided information on men's health. "There are those (men) who want to know about this cancer which can threaten life and relationships in a family, including prostate cancer. "I was informed that this health awareness programme is the only one in the world that offer the pap smear test at home. I have advised the residents to participate in the programme", said Abdul Haris, a son of Pulau Indah. HOME VISITS Close to 200 of HTAR's medical staff were involved in the year-long programme held on this island. Statistics showed that almost half of Pulau Indah's women population had never taken a pap smear test. This cancer awareness programme was conducted from home to home in order to convince the 'sceptics'. "We talked to them (women villagers) and reminded them about the test, which is for their own good. If they fall sick, then their whole family will suffer and the cost for treatment is high. "They should not impose a large burden on their family with a disease that can be prevented. "I even asked the workers at the factory where I work to take the screening tests, since these tests are given free", said Dermawani. She said, however, that there were some workers who had declined after their husbands had said they should not participate in these tests. Dermawani described the effort by the Malaysia's Health Ministry as being noble in bringing the pap smear test to the home of the island's residents in an attempt to achieve 'zero sickness' on Pulau Indah. Pulau Indah is an island off the west coast of Selangor, Malaysia. -- BERNAMA