THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) wishes to inform the public that in observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be hosting several outreach programmes in an effort to encourage women to get screened for cervical cancer.

Over the years the two institutions have held a number of similar programmes which entailed employees performing Visual Inspection Using Acetic Acid (VIA) testing on location where such outreaches were held.
According to a release from the GPHC, these services have seen many women in attendance and this year is expected to be no different.
Medic of the VIA Clinic at GPHC, Lorlene Ramsundar has disclosed that this year organisations with more females will be targeted.
She disclosed that such places include Transport and Harbours Department, Lifeline Ministries, Restoration Ministries and several others.
VIA TESTING
Ramsundar stressed that VIA testing is a very simple procedure which is pain free and free of cost. “We apply vinegar to the mouth of the cervix, after one minute the person would have the result which will determine if they have to get treated or if we need to run more tests or if they do not require treatment.”
The medic emphasized that early detection is vital and encouraged persons between the ages of 25- 49 who are sexually active in particular to get screened as soon as possible, especially if they have never been tested.
Ramsundar underscored that getting screened can save persons’ lives and noted that from 2009 to present the VIA Clinic has detected numerous cervical cancer cases, most of which were successfully treated.
She said the feedback from women who were screened and treated thus far has been very positive and added that persons have lauded both GPHC and the Ministry of Health for providing such services to them which they may not have been able to afford otherwise.
She added: “We have been encouraging women who come, to tell others to come and get checked and the response has been overwhelming.”
The medic highlighted that more and more women are recognising the importance of getting themselves tested but stated that more education programmes on television and radio would be useful for women who may not know the importance of getting a VIA test done.
Cervical cancer ranks as the main type of cancer diagnosed and reported among Guyanese females, therefore key emphasis has been placed on combating the disease. It is largely preventable due to cervical screening and the HPV vaccination, the release added. (Navendra Seoraj)