Absence of Awareness and Fear: Most Important Factors in Late Detection of Cancer

Head of Cancer Research Center at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Raham Salek, Ph.D., said: "The most common cancers in women are cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer,” WEBDA reported.

 “Timely identifying cancer is an important factor in treating it,” he said, maintaining, “Identifying cancer will occur at the best time when one discovers its symptoms and visits a specialist so that the disease might not be prolonged and hardened.”

Member of Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences noted that abnormal bleeding, bleeding after menopause, abnormal and prolonged secretions are symptoms that, if observed, women ought to visit a specialist so that the principal cause of the disease might be explored.

“Unfortunately, due to presence of a regular screening plan to identify common cancers in women, most patients find themselves in an advanced phase of the disease,” he said.

Dr. Salek added, “The main reason for late visit is lack of recognizing symptoms, lack of women’s paying attention to their own bodies, their fear of cancer, presence of misconceptions about treating this disease, self-treatment and falling into deceitful people’s trap who boast of knowing herbal or traditional treatments (that cause cancer to advance), shame and concern about the symptoms, and lack of effective medical management system as well family physicians.”

Faculty Member at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences recommended Pap Smear Test for females, maintaining, “Despite the absence of a screening program, women can do Pap Smear Test once a year, which is a low cost and outcome test, so that they could get informed of possible common cancers and start their treatment at the right time if any disease is detected.”

He stressed that the test could be done for women first annually, then every two years, and if the test’s responses are negative for three times, it could be repeated every three years.

“Treating women’s common cancers in the early stages and will be limited to minor and limited surgical procedures; however, in more advanced cases, the patient will need major surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.”

Dr. Salek said, “Cervical cancer is more common at reproductive age, and uterus and ovary cancers are more common among women of over 50 years of age and older, following menopause.”

Head of Cancer Research Center at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences noted: "In countries where risky behaviors or sexual anarchy are common, genital and cervical cancers might be seen more often; however, fortunately in our nation, due to people’s opinions, cervical cancer is fewer among females.”

“HPV vaccine, or Gardasil, is injectable at the age of puberty for young females. It can prevent cervix infections following marriage as well as at onset of their effective sexual activities.”

 Dr. Salek said that it is possible to inject HPV vaccine at an older age and after starting sexual activity, but it has lower preventive effect on women, adding,” The vaccine is available in pharmacies and it has to be injected in three doses.”

“The most important factor in treating cancer is visiting a specialist at the appropriate time; thereby, observing the smallest symptoms, women should begin treatment by visiting experts and doing the necessary tests at the right time if any cancer has been discovered.”