'Cervical Cancer Awareness: My Cervix, My Life' - Ghana Female Celebrities Declare

Some Ghanaian female celebrities have endorsed the fight against Cervical Cancer in the country. They include Nana Ekua Asanteba Mensah of Viasat 1 News; Sherifa Gunu who has inspired the music scenes with her unique traditional style; Gloria Sarfo of 'Efiewura' and 'living with trisha' fame; Roselyn Ngissah, Zenaida Morrison and Agnes Ntow.

The celebs who are currently on top of their game are collaborating with The Kultiva Group and the Cervical Cancer Unit of the Ridge Hospital to educate, screen and create public awareness of the disease, under the theme, 'what every woman should know' through the 'Every woman 2013' project.

This is the first ever women empowerment programme by the group in the country that will address the health of Ghanaian woman, specifically, cervical cancer. It comes off May 12, 2013 which coincides with 'Mother's Day', at the Regimanuel Grey Golden Gate Club house, Spintex. This programme will utilize the platform of cookery, entertainment and intertwine the intended health exercise.

Cervical Cancer is the second most common cancer, affecting women under 45 years. It is quoted as the third leading cause of cancer death among women globally, after breast and lung cancers. Cervical cancer occurs when a virus called the human papilloma virus invades the cells in the cervix and can usually be diagnosed at an early stage through a Pap test. The Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer.

In Ghana currently, it is estimated that out of 3038 women diagnosed with cervical cancer yearly, 2006 die from the disease (80%); that's according to the World Health Organization (WHO; 2010). Due to lack of information and knowledge as well as proper diagnoses, deaths resulting from cervical cancer is often linked to general cancer.

Every sexually active woman is at risk of an infection from a cancer causing HPV type throughout her lifetime with about 80% of women, acquiring the virus by age 50, out of which 50 per cent are potential cervical cancer patients. Evidently, it is alarmingly claiming the lives of most innocent Ghanaian women because of low awareness and insufficient information.

Regrettably, the scope of health related programmes seems to be silent on this disease. Hence, the response of 'SAVE A LIFE', a subsidiary of THE KULTIVA GROUP, a Ghanaian based organization, in partnership wth the Cervical Cancer/Paps Smear Centre of the Ridge Hospital, Accra with the event 'EVERY WOMAN 2013'.

It is expected about (100) out of over two hundred (200) participants shall be educated and screened for free. Partakers shall range from Policy and lawmakers, civil society, stakeholders in the health sector, philanthropists and other interested individuals.

The event is open to the general public as we all join efforts to launch and push this all important agenda. Any shade of pink shall be the colour of the day for purposes of symbolism and also in solidarity with global efforts towards fighting Cervical Cancer.

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