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The early and accurate screening as well as initiation to treatment of cervical cancer can save millions of lives, Dr Lindelwe Ncube from the University of Zimbabwe’s Biomedical Engineering Department has said.
Dr. Ncube was addressing journalists attending a workshop for editors and station managers at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Hotel, running from 1 to 2 April 2025.
He bemoaned the fact that about 2,000 women die from cervical cancer every year. In an analogy, he equated the death toll to 19 women in a commuter omnibus who die after being involved in an accident 104 times in one year.
“So, how can we minimize this? How can we prevent this tragedy? The solution, we have to screen them earlier, we have to screen them more accurately, and we have to initiate treatment early. So, this is the tragedy that we face, and this is the reason for this potential solution that I’m going to present today,” Dr. Ncube said.
He added that more community workers are needed for cervical cancer prevention.
“They are needed to go in the communities and convince people that they should be screened for cervical cancer. The media should help in spreading awareness of how cervical cancer is killing a lot of women. So the media can also play a critical role to reduce this number and actually eliminate it.”
Dr Ncube said cervical cancer screening is crucial for early detection and prevention. He alluded to Pap Smear (Pap Test) whereby a healthcare provider collects cells from the cervix using a spatula or brush. The cells are sent to a laboratory for analysis to detect abnormal cell changes.
The other method is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test that detects the presence of high-risk HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer. Under this, a sample of cells is collected from the cervix, similar to a Pap smear.
The Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) is a more sensitive method than traditional Pap smears, detecting more abnormal cells. A sample of cells is collected from the cervix and suspended in a liquid medium.
The Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) uses acetic acid to visualize the cervix. Abnormal cells turn white after applying acetic acid, making them easier to detect.
Colposcopy is used to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva for abnormal cell changes. It may be performed to confirm the presence of abnormal cells.
