Health practitioner at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), Matron Doris Adjei, has warned that women can contract cervical cancer from their male partners who may carry the cancer causing virus, human papillomavirus (HBV).
In an interview with Mrs.Tornyi on the African Women’s Voices aired on e.TV Ghana last Tuesday, she disclosed that even though men do not have cervixes, they are able to carry the virus that causes the Cervical Cancer.
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“Virus that causes cervical cancer is found in both men and women. Female condom helps more than the male condom, because the female condom covers the genital than the male condom.
A man can pick the virus and transmit it to his partner after coming into contact with an infected woman.
she disclosed that even though men do not have cervixes, they are able to carry the virus that causes the Cervical Cancer.
We are not sure who infects who first but like it’s said, once the man is infected he can affect the woman and vice versa”, she said.
She further revealed that even though a man may be carrying the virus, it has no effect on his health”. The virus does nothing to the man, but it is the women who suffer.
The virus can be with a woman for 10 to 20 years before signs and symptoms come up”, she added.
Signs and symptoms associated with Cervical Cancer include bleeding during intercourse, bleeding during menopause, offensive abnormal vaginal discharge, among others.
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She, however, advised that women from age 21 and above who are sexually active should do regular checkups in every two to three years.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs at the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, known as the Cervix. This cancer is sexually transmitted infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah