Julie Van Zyl : “No woman on earth has the right to die with cervical cancer”

Cervical cancer is deadly but still, it is one of those cancers that can be treated if detected. Cytologist Julie Van Zyl from South Africa, who is in Mauritius for training sessions with doctors and nurses, argues that no woman on earth has the right to die with cervical cancer. She believes that prevention is the key.

“Yearly, many women are losing their lives because of cervical cancer. There is no need for them to suffer this much when they can get cured as soon as they are detected with anomalies.”

She encourages all young ladies who are sexually active to go for Pap smear every year or every two years. “It takes around 15 years for a cervical cancer to reach a critical stage. If during the first year itself, it is detected early, there is no risk for death. A woman between the ages of 20-40 should undergo at least five Pap Smear.” She urges the ladies, especially mothers, to choose preventive measures for the sake of their families.

“If not for you but at least for your children, go for this test. Don’t die of cervical cancer.” It should be noted that the Victoria Hospital is now equipped with a new apparatus known as the Hologic to proceed with cervical screening. Samples will be collected in regional hospitals to be sent to Victoria Hospital for analysis.

Muslim Bhatoo, Managing director of Separation Scientific Mauritius Ltd (Sep Sci), reveals that through screening now available in hospitals, women around the island should take advantage of it and go for screening. “Women should not wait for their health to deteriorate to take action. It is very important for our country to have healthy women. So, I personally make a request to all women to go for screening.”            

About cervical cancer

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV.

You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.