THE recent cervical cancer training hosted by the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority has left participants deeply appreciative, with many describing it as both eyeopening and life-changing. Among them was Sr. Janet James from Port Moresby General Hospital, who shared that the workshop was highly beneficial and would enable her to return with better-equipped skills and knowledge to advocate for women’s health.
Sr. James noted that Port Moresby General Hospital has not yet established a cervical cancer screening service, but the training has given her the confidence to help initiate this life-saving program. She explained that she learned not only the fundamentals of cervical cancer and its causes, but also how to conduct screening tests and manage cases effectively.
She emphasized that many women and mothers remain unaware of the disease, making awareness and early detection critical. “Cervical cancer is killing many of our women,” she said. “This training is vital so that women can know their status and take action early to treat and prevent the progression of cervical cancer.”
Given the challenges of reaching communities scattered across the large city of Port Moresby, she highlighted that advocacy will be key. She suggested that public health programs, social media platforms, and mobile clinics could serve as powerful tools to spread awareness and encourage more women to come forward for screening.
Her sentiments were echoed by Ms. Thelma Raima, Clinical Health Extension Officer from the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, who described the workshop as very informative. She noted that one of the anticipated challenges in her province is the misconception surrounding treatment. “Some women believe that undergoing thermal ablation could affect their ability to conceive, which has created hesitation and fear,” she explained. “Therefore, we will need to conduct extensive awareness activities.”
For Sr. James, Ms. Raima, and their colleagues, the workshop was more than just professional development, it was a call to action. They left Mt Hagen determined to share their knowledge and skills, advocate for early detection, and help establish services that could save the lives of countless women across Papua New Guinea.
