The Wisconsin International University in Accra on Saturday held a cervical cancer seminar and screening for female students, as part of efforts to educate and create awareness on the disease on campus and the country at large.
The occasion was also used to launch ‘Cervca is Real’, a non-governmental organisation, that would lead the ‘fight’ against cervical cancer.
The guest speaker for the occasion, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, urged female students to screen for cervical cancer to be informed about their status and get the necessary assistance in order to survive.
She said, knowing one’s status was very important in the fight against the disease since cervical cancer was one of the most deadly cancers in the world.
“Also, it is one of the cancers one can easily prevent and treat if only she is aware of her status by going for screening,” she stated.
Female students she said, must take their health issues seriously in order to prevent certain unbearable conditions in future.
“Stop spending money on things that do not matter and use your money to take care of your health as it would carry you through your academic and professional lives,” she stressed.
According to Mrs Anti, women must acquire knowledge on health issues, be guided and take advantage of the necessary measures available to remain safe in order to live long and happy.
Patrons were also educated on the causes, preventive measures as well as treatments available for cervical cancer.
Founder of Cervca is Real, Rosina Osabu explained that, sex was the main cause of cervical cancer and advised students against having multiple sex partners.
“Some of the symptoms could also be pain during sex, bleeding after menstruating or long menstrual period as well as vagina discharges,” she stated.
She said, the symptoms would only come out when the cancer was in the advanced stage and therefore, important for females to be screened and get the necessary support to prevent the cancer from growing.
Students after the seminar were registered and taken through screening at the school’s laboratory.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
