Free cancer screening at Barpak health camp

Gorkha, March 4: A free screening of cervical cancer was provided at a health camp organized at Barpak of the Sulikot rural municipality in Gorkha district on Monday.

A total of 120 women underwent screening for cervical cancer during the health camp. Among them, eight tested positive, according to Modraj Bhatta, chief of the health section in the rural municipality. The visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) was conducted as part of the screening.

Those found to be VIA positive were ensured immediate treatment, which would be followed by the next screening after six months. The health camp was organized by the rural municipality with the support of the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation and the Nepal Cancer Relief Society.

The women in the 30-49 age group had undergone the tests. Chief Bhatta further informed that HPV could be identified through the VIA method so that the treatment can be forwarded accordingly and the risk avoided. The health camp was conducted given the rising cases of cervical cancer and uterine prolapse among rural women.

“The VIA test identifies the likelihood of cancer, showing the health condition of the uterus,” he said, adding that once the condition of the uterus is identified, further medication is done accordingly. The VIA was conducted by the trained nurses under the inspection of specialist doctors for the screening. —RSS