Flavia Nakagwa
15 May 2008
Kampala — THE Ministry of Health is to immunise 10-year-old girls against cervical cancer, a health official has said.
The head of immunisation, Dr. Issa Makumbi, yesterday said the exercise would start next month in Ibanda and Nakasongola districts.
He added that the Human Papilloma Vaccine would be used and each dose costs $300 (over sh500,000).
Two dozes are required for each person.
Makumbi said out of every 100 women, 45 suffer from cervical cancer.
"There is need to combat the disease because between 45% and 50% of patients with gynaecological problems at Mulago Hospital suffer from cervical cancer."
The minister made the remarks while receiving items for breast cancer patients from the Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation based in Nigeria at the ministry's headquarters in Kampala.
Cervical cancer forms in the tissues of the cervix, an organ that connects the uterus to the vagina. It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests, a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope.
The symptoms include heavy bleeding, thick-smelly discharge, pelvic pain and pain when urinating. Makumbi said having many partners and engaging in early sex was one of the causes of cervical cancer.
Dr. Nathan Kenya-Mugisha, the director of community health services, said the exact number of people suffering from the cancer was not known because many women do not go to hospitals.
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