"HOW IUD GAVE ME CERVICAL CANCER: STACEY AMOATENG’S SAD STORY.”

REJOINDER BY SOGOG ON "HOW IUD GAVE ME CERVICAL CANCER: STACEY AMOATENG’S SAD   STORY.”

The attention of SOGOG (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana) has been drawn to a YouTube video being circulated on social media with the above caption in which Mrs. Stacey Amoateng alleges that she acquired cervical cancer from the use of a copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). 

While our Society empathizes with Mrs. Stacey Amoateng’s predicament and appreciates her apparent drive to help prevent cervical cancer through public education and screening services, the Society will like to correct the misinformation being conveyed by the contents of the said video.

SOGOG hereby informs all persons that at present, there is NO scientific data or evidence to support the assertion that any form of the Intrauterine Device (IUD) causes cervical cancer.

The Society states emphatically that the Copper IUD, which is one of two forms of IUD available in the country, is a SAFE and EFFECTIVE form of long-term reversible contraception, and couples who desire to use them or are currently using them can safely do so without any fear or panic.

The Society also cautions the general public that cervical cancer generally has no symptoms in its early stages. Regular screening with the Pap Smear, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid 

(VIA) and testing for High-Risk Human Papilloma virus (HPV) is recommended for early detection and prevention advance disease. 

However, any woman diagnosed with cervical cancer is advised to comply with medical treatment which includes surgery and chemo-radiation therapy.

Good nutrition and prayer, whiles good for general health and well-being, are not specific treatment modalities for cervical cancer.

 Signed by 

    Dr Ali Samba

(President of SOGOG)

SCALE UP ANTENATAL CARE AT THE COMMUNITY

Progress to maternal health services to ensuring universal health coverage (health for all) has been slow despite the successes made.

Anaemia in pregnancy is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. When detected early in pregnancy, it can be treated; however,  access to equipment to check blood level (Heamoglobin) of pregnant women especially during the first antenatal visit, 28 weeks and 36 weeks gestation is limited in rural Ghana. 

Although checking of haemoglobin during pregnancy booking and at least 28 weeks gestation and 36 weeks gestation is routine for all pregnant women across the country the major challenge is the Haemoglobin  Meters not many enough.
The few machines are only found in the hospitals, poly clinics and few health centres, hence pregnant mothers are expected to travel from the indigenous communities to queue for the service.
The stress these women go through has prevented most people in seeking early antenatal care at the community.

 To the improve the situation:
1. Government should equip health centres and CHPS compounds with simple Haemoglobin Meter to check the haemoglobin level of pregnant women during first antenatal visits, 28 weeks gestation and 36 weeks gestation.
2. Civil society organisations and cooperate institutions should support the health sector with Haemoglobin Meters to equip the local facilities.
3. The health should zone satellite laboratory centres to calm the current situation.
4. Private sector laboratory centres should partner district and municipal health directorate to reach out to the had-to-reach areas.

The cheerful face a woman gets when she realizes she has conceived turns into grief when there are complications before, during and after pregnancy as a result of anaemia.