In Zambia, the ability to bear children is particularly important to women. In the Bemba language, the phrase “imiti ikula empanga” (meaning “the shrubs that grow now will become the forest”) emphasizes the importance of children to society.
Surgical treatment for gynecologic cancer may involve removal of part or all of the uterus, preventing a woman from bearing children. This makes the decision to undergo surgical treatment difficult for many women. Providing accurate, personalized information on surgical treatment to each woman is critical, so she can make the decision that is best for her.
Meet Idah, one woman who decided to undergo removal of the entire uterus. I’d like to share her story with you:
“My name is Idah. I first went for cervical cancer screening in 2008 at George Clinic in Lusaka, Zambia. The nurse found some abnormalities on my cervix, so she referred me to the local hospital for a biopsy. When I returned for my biopsy results six months later, I was told I had uterine cancer. The doctor told me that I should consider having my uterus removed before the cancer could spread.
Like most African women, bearing children is extremely important to me. However, I knew that if my uterus wasn’t removed, I might not live to see many more days. So, after much thought, I agreed to the operation. The operation went well; I remained in the hospital for five days and then returned home. I haven’t had any problems since and I still go for cervical cancer screening each year.”
To learn more about the African Centre of Excellence for Women’s Cancer Control, visit www.acewcc.org. (Photo: Nurse Chalwa explains the cervical cancer screening procedure to onlookers)