The number of women coming forward for the Pap smear test has increased this year due to the relentless awareness efforts of health officials. This, according to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), has helped in the early detection of cervical cancer among Bhutanese women.
The Pap smear involves the collection of cells from the cervix which is also the opening of the uterus. The idea of letting someone inspect private parts makes many women apprehensive about the whole procedure, which had kept the number low in the past.
Kinzang Dema was ashamed and scared to undergo Pap smear test in the beginning. “I decided to undergo the test after one of the health officials repeatedly told me the importance of Pap smear test,” she added, “after the test, the result showed the signs of cancer and now they say that I have to undergo a minor surgery.”
Dr UgyenTshomo, who is a Gynecologist at the JDWNRH said, “All the married women, women who are sexually active, and women above the age of 25 should take Pap smear test,” she added, “the women without the signs of cervical cancer should undergo the test every after three years and continue until the age of 65.”
Once certain risk factors of cervical cancer are diagnosed one should undergo colposcopy. The colposcopy is a procedure which will help the doctors to locate precancerous and cancerous cells, and recommend treatment. If detected early, cervical cancer is preventable and curable.
As per the cancer registry Data at the JDWNRH, 60 to 70 women suffer from cervical cancer every year. Out of which 15 to 20 women die of cancer.
“The main causes of death are due to kidney failure or the patient coming late for the treatment,” said Dr Ugyen Tshomo. “Some of them come with chronic pain or with the blocked urinary bladder caused by cancer.” She added, bleeding in between periods, menstrual bleeding that last longer, bleeding more than usual and foul-smelling discharges are some of the symptoms of cervical cancer.
With increasing women coming forward to undergo a Pap smear test, the Health Department has increased the number of centres. Today there are eight centres which provide Pap smear and colposcopy testing in the country.
This year, to date, more than 7,500 women have undergone Pap smear tests, which is one thousand more than last year.
Pema Seldon Tshering
