Report more on cervical cancer, journalists asked

Women Coalition Against Cancer in Malawi executive director Maud Mwakasungula has asked journalists in Karonga to raise more awareness on cervical cancer in the district.

She made the call on Tuesday at the end of a workshop on cervical cancer reporting for journalists. 

Mwakasungula said: “The annual death rate from cervical cancer is at 49.8 percent of the cases.

“Therefore, it is imperative to train journalists on how cervical cancer is caused, how it spreads and why it is important for women and girls to go for early screening.”

Karonga-based Zodiak Broadcasting Station reporter Adams Wandaninge commended the organisation for the training.

“I will be able to report accurately on the disease, which will help women and girls to make informed decisions,” he said.

In his presentation, Karonga district senior nursing and midwifery officer Spain Chimaliro said out of 1 480 screened cases in four centres of Kaporo, Fuliwa, Chilumba and Karonga District Hospital in the fourth quarter of 2021, 36 women turned out positive while 30 women were referred to the district hospital for treatment.

He said: “The most risk factors for cervical cancer is engaging in sexual activity before the age of 20, multiple sexual partners, smoking and exposure to sexually transmitted infections.”