140 women benefit from health camp, 10 found to have cervical cancer

By Jibachh Yadav, Lahan, Jan 6: Ten women have been found suffering with cervical cancer at an integrated reproductive health screening and management camp held by the Lahan Municipality Health Section.

In aggregate, 140 women from Wards No. 20 and 21, rural areas located about four kilometres south of Lahan’s urban centre, underwent free health check-ups. Health Section Chief Bindeshwar Chaudhary reported tests confirmed cervical cancer in ten women.

According to the chief of health section, VIA tests conducted among women above 30 years of age detected first-stage cancer in eight women and third-stage cancer in two women.

Health workers will recommend both third-stage patients to Bharatpur Cancer Hospital, while health facilities in Lahan will provide treatment to the eight women diagnosed at the first stage.

The municipality screened only women above 30 years of age were screened by the municipality, as concerned health authorities provide preventive vaccination against cervical cancer to women below that age group.

Similar camps held in Taregana Govindpur Ward No. 17 with Malhana Govindpur Ward No. 24 in last year. This camp has facilitated to find cervical cancer in five women in northern Lahan.

Community Service Officer Tej Kumari Shrestha from Siraha District Hospital stated swab tests assist confirm whether cervical cancer exists and identify which of the four stages the disease has reached.

She said early detection saves lives and urged all local governments in Siraha district to onduct such screening camps to control cervical cancer.

After screening women in four wards over the past two years and identifying a total of 15 patients, Lahan Municipality Mayor Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary stated the municipality will allocate additional budget this year to extend the programme to the remaining 20 wards.

He added that the municipality requires a budget of around Rs 50,000 to operate the camp in each ward.