Fear Of Hospitalisation And Pain Deter Women From Pap Smear

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The fear of hospitalisation and pain has deterred many Malaysian women from undergoing the pap smear test to detect cervical cancer, the second most common cancer affecting the group after breast cancer, according to a gynaecologist.
President of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Malaysia (OGSM) Dr Abdul Aziz Yahya said this negative perception discouraged them from undergoing this important test as an early detection for cervical cancer.
Early detection of cervical cancer was important as the survival chance via treatment was the highest because cervical cancer usually does not cause pain or other symptoms, he told reporters after launching a media campaign "Tell Someone" here Thursday.
The campaign is aimed at creating awareness and disseminating vital information about cervical cancer as well as ways to protect against the disease.
Dr Abdul Aziz, as gynaecologist for over 18 years, said: "The majority of cervical cancer cases in Malaysia are detected through pap smear test at the final stage, which is too late for any treatment."
He said that according to the National Cancer Register, Malaysian's crude incidence rate of cervical cancer was 16.5 female per 100,000 population.
In developed nations, the pap smear test had been widely used as early detection against cervical cancer since the 1950s and between 1950 and 1970 the test had significally reduced cervical cancer death in United States by 70 per cent, he said.
The nationwide campaign, jointly organised by OGSM and Merck Sharp & Dohme Malaysia, a global research-driven pharmaceutical company, involves advertisement via print and radio, website, social activities and hand-out of in-clinic support materials.
"Women need to be proactive in taking measures to protect themselves from this unwanted disease," Dr Abdul Aziz said.