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Women still in the dark about cervical cancer
Patrick Leeman
2002-11-07

Disturbing findings have emerged from a major study into cervical cancer in Durban, with 65% of one group of women polled having no knowledge about this form of cancer or about pap smears. The study, conducted at the city's King Edward Hospital by the Pregnancy Hypertension Unit of the Medical Research Council, found that the majority of women questioned had no knowledge, very limited knowledge or only vague knowledge about cervical cancer. Unit director Professor Jack Moodley said on Sunday that it was important to promote screening programmes for cervical cancer and to educate the public about the availability of pap smears. He said cervical cancer was now one of the most common forms of cancer in South African women. Moodley said that of those respondents who did have some knowledge and information about cervical cancer and pap smears, 87% did not think it was important to undergo cervical screenings. Moodley said the incidence of cervical cancer in South Africa was about 30 in 100 000 women. Mortality was high because the majority of patients were already at an advanced stage of the disease before they came to the clinic or hospital. (Source: Daily News, 4 November 2002).

Disturbing findings have emerged from a major study into cervical cancer in Durban, with 65% of one group of women polled having no knowledge about this form of cancer or about pap smears.

The study, conducted at the city's King Edward Hospital by the Pregnancy Hypertension Unit of the Medical Research Council, found that the majority of women questioned had no knowledge, very limited knowledge or only vague knowledge about cervical cancer.

Unit director Professor Jack Moodley said on Sunday that it was important to promote screening programmes for cervical cancer and to educate the public about the availability of pap smears. He said cervical cancer was now one of the most common forms of cancer in South African women.

 Moodley said that of those respondents who did have some knowledge and information about cervical cancer and pap smears, 87% did not think it was important to undergo cervical screenings.

Moodley said the incidence of cervical cancer in South Africa was about 30 in 100 000 women. Mortality was high because the majority of patients were already at an advanced stage of the disease before they came to the clinic or hospital. (Source: Daily News, 4 November 2002)

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