The screening also found some of the women having inflammation of the cervix, mass or growth in the uterus and leukoplakia, a health threatening condition in women.

A Public Health Specialist with the Holy Child Family Hospital, Anita Obeng Andoh, said this during the launch of the World Cervical Cancer awareness month last Saturday.

It was on the theme: "Capacitating today's women as an instrument in combating cervical cancer.”

She, therefore, encouraged every woman to screen for the condition to help in early detection and preventable deaths.

The hospital, since the start of the cervical cancer project, had worked on more than 3,000 patients to know their status, get vaccinated and plan their treatment.

Risk factors

The Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Barbara Fenyi, said sexually risky behaviours and douching were some of the risk factors.

She expressed worry about the practice of anal sex, which was becoming a public health issue, adding; "having sex backdoor increases the risk of cancers".

She, therefore, charged health workers to lead the crusade through counselling, encouraging women to get screened and vaccinated.

Community system

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, called for strengthening of community system and efforts to eradicate the disease in line with WHO’s directive and the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda.

"I pray that more women will get involved as we the men will always lend the support," he said.

The Western Regional Director, Catholic Health Services, Rev. Father Francis Aidoo, pledged the church's commitment to contribute to quality health management systems to save lives and restore hope to humanity. — GNA