64% of Women in Isfahan Screened for Cervical Cancer

Isfahan – The head of cancer registration and screening at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences said that since 2017, about 64% of the province's female population has been covered by cervical cancer screening.

In a conversation with Mehr reporter, Zahra Ravankhah stated: During the implementation of this program, about 77% of cancers were identified and diagnosed in the first stage, and it is possible to treat them effectively.

Referring to the program of the Ministry of Health for the screening of breast, colon and cervical cancers, he continued: In some of these cancers, screening is not limited to early detection and can also prevent cancer by identifying precancerous changes.

The head of cancer registration and screening of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences announced about colon cancer screening: about 45% of the population aged 50 to 70 are included in the screening program for this cancer, and people with positive results are referred for additional examinations, including colonoscopy.

He said: Also, about 68% of women aged 30 to 60 have been screened for cervical cancer at least once, and cancer can be prevented by detecting precancerous stages and effective intervention.

Ravankhah said: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Isfahan province, and colon cancer is among the five most common cancers in the province.

He added: Cervical cancer is not one of the five most common cancers in the province, but due to the possibility of prevention and early diagnosis, the screening program for this cancer is followed by the Ministry of Health.

The person in charge of cancer registration and screening of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences stated: When cancer is diagnosed, the patient should enter the path of scientific treatment without delay according to the type of cancer, which can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these methods.

He added: "Unfortunately, in some cases, after the diagnosis of cancer, instead of immediately seeking specialized treatment, the patient turns to herbal medicines, decoctions, and non-scientific methods, and turns to a surgeon or medical center when he has missed the right opportunity for treatment."

Ravankhah emphasized: It is necessary to inform about this issue so that patients know that they should not take the opportunity to treat cancer and that the treatment should be done based on the opinion of experts and scientific methods.

Pointing to the importance of cancer prevention and early diagnosis, he said: According to the documents of the World Health Organization, about 40% of cancers can be prevented, and with self-care, lifestyle modification, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, a part of cancer cases and deaths can be prevented.

Rwankhah introduced the principles of cancer prevention, false beliefs about cancer, nutrition, weight loss, healthy life, environmental factors, infections, skin cancer prevention, smoking and tobacco, physical activity, early diagnosis and screening, safety in the workplace, family history of cancer and familiarity with screening methods for breast, colon, and cervical cancers among the axes of this campaign.

Referring to the importance of early detection of breast cancer, he said: more than 75% and in some cases up to 80% of breast cancers detected by midwives in health centers are in the early stages and at this stage the disease can be completely cured.

Ravankhah said: Considering the high prevalence of breast cancer in the world, the country and the province of Isfahan, it is necessary to increase public awareness about the importance of screening and early detection of this cancer.