NMC’s Gynaecologist on AIR highlightingthe importance of “Cervical Cancer Screening” and “Detection and Management of Polycystic Ovarian Disease & Infertility”.
Dr. Shalini Arya (M.B.B.S., M.D), Gynaecologist at NMC Medical Centre, Sharjah was on the Radio Clinic show on Hum FM 106.2 on Saturday 10th and 17th March. The one 1 hour live highlighted the importance of “Cervical Cancer Screening” and “Detection and Management of Polycystic Ovarian Disease and Infertility”. The topics were carefully selected considering the current health need of the region.
Cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in female and is third leading cause of death around the world however if we look closely 85% of mortality burden is on the developing countries specially eastern and south Africans countries, south central Asia and Middle Eastern countries. Incidence of cervical cancer is very low in developed countries such as the United States, Europe and the UK. The reasons behind this disproportionate burden are lack of awareness, lack of strong screening protocol and lack of resources in developing nations.
Diagnostic test such as Pap smear is commonly used to diagnose early cervical precancerous and cancerous conditions. As per Dr. Shalini Arya – “It is advisable to go for Pap smear every three yearly till the age of 65. Pap smear screening helps preventing more than 80% cancer mortality”
Another topic of discussion was Polycystic Ovarian Disease and Infertility. It’s known that at present 1 in every 12 women is suffering from the said disease although this disease is not fatal however it remains the main cause of infertility. This may also lead to late stage diabetes, endometrial cancer and morbid obesity. The most common symptoms are: Acne, weight gain and trouble losing weight, extra hair on the face and body, thinning hair on the scalp, irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year, some women have no periods and others have very heavy bleeding and infertility.
Dr. Arya recommended that Lifestyle modification, dietary habit improvement is fist line treatment of this disease.
The show was aired between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm where listeners across the UAE could listen to the doctor and also put forth their questions by either calling the studio or sending text messages during the show.