The Power of Prevention

January is cervical cancer awareness month and the theme for this year is “ending cervical cancer within a few generations” which means early detection allows early treatment and prevention. The main goal is to raise cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccine awareness.

To raise cervical cancer awareness in Lesotho, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) teamed up with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to educate students at Botho University in Maseru while also providing cervical and breast cancer screening.

Sister Mamofolo Khamokha leads awareness training on cervical cancer at Botho University. Photo: Makopano Makopano Letsatsi/EGPAF 2022

“Prevention is better than cure,” said EGPAF Nurse Sister Mamofolo Khamokha from the Senkatana Center of Excellence. “I appeal to all sexually-active female above the age of 25 to take action and screen for cervical cancer because if precancerous lesion is detected early, can be treated to prevent progression to cancer.” Some of common symptoms of cervical cancer include bleeding or pain during sex, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, unusual smelly vaginal discharge or pelvic pain.

Sister Mamofolo explained that the common cervical cancer screening methods are visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or a Pap smear where sample is collected for laboratory examination. Another screening method is by testing for human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted through unprotected sex. HPV causes cervical cancer and one can have HPV for years and not have any symptoms unless one goes for screening.

Sister Mamofolo Khamokha and student, Lerato Mongali, who volunteered to screen for cervical cancer after health education training. Photo: Makopano Makopano Letsatsi/EGPAF 2022

CHAI Vaccines Demand Generation and Promotion Personnel Leshoboro Mokhameleli said that cervical cancer can be prevented if one receives the HPV vaccine on time before becoming sexually active. Mokhameleli mentioned that the government of Lesotho provides free HPV vaccines for girls between the age of 9 to 14-years as a primary prevention of cervical cancer, adding that two-doses of HPV vaccines are recommended for a person to reach maximum protection

At this event, Jhpiego Communications Officer Thato Diaho encouraged men to go for voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in order to reduce the chance of getting or transmitting sexual transmitted infections, including HPV or HIV. She said that VMMC services are provided free of charge in public hospitals.

EGPAF founded the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Lesotho in 2013, with funding from U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with Lesotho’s Ministry of Health. The Senkatana Center of Excellence opened in 2015, with a focus on cervical cancer screening. Since then, EGPAF has worked alongside the Ministry of Health to rollout cervical cancer screening and management of precancerous lesions with thermocoagulation or Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) across the country.