Please raise awareness

[Lamagoodle]

We need to raise awareness on cancers to Somalia diaspora women. Mammography and Papanicolaou test (pap-cervical smear test) are today available to somali women in the diaspora but a few somali women see the benefits. I have had discussions with somali women who discard letters inviting them for screening.

Yes, these tests do not have a 100% predictive rate and mammography is somehow painful but it is still worth.

Also HPV vaccinations are important.

[SummerRain]

There is resistance to general preventative care with Somali diaspora from basic health check ups to dental clean up. As important as screening for breast cancer is for women 40 and up, and given the available resources to get them done, few Somali women see the benefits of it. I noticed that most cancer diagnosis within Somali populations are often late stage. Even this hasn't motivated them to screen themselves early. Yaab.

[Lamagoodle]

There is resistance to general preventative care with Somali diaspora from basic health check ups to dental clean up. As important as screening for breast cancer is for women 40 and up, and given the available resources to get them done, few Somali women see the benefits of it. I noticed that most cancer diagnosis within Somali populations are often late stage. Even this hasn't motivated them to screen themselves early. Yaab.

SummerRain,
There was this lady in my town who passed away on Tuesday this week. She was sent letters inviting her to do cervical smear test and mammography a number of times but she threw the letters into the dustbin; the problem was that whenever women of her age met, they will always rant about "ma galaadaan ayaa wax taqaan?" statement that is rampant in our society.

She got sick two weeks ago and was rushed to the hospital. She had late stage cancer which has metastasised to all her organs.

I think Somalis rush to see doctors even when their ailments are not serious; even for colds and headaches but screening/vaccination (preventions) is not viewed as important.

[Meyle]

It's ignorance and it's partially fueled by the ''religious scholars'' in the Somali communities. I know that in Scandinavia, in Sweden for instance every woman (40+) has the right to do screening tests and routine tests and it's offered by the government. The main problem is the herd mentality. Most Somalis wether they like it or not are commonplace people. Critical thinking and individuality seems to be asbsent from the Somali mindset.

[zulaika]

Lam, I appreciate your concern to get that word out...It's very important to check once every year...

Also I noticed some girls only visit their obygn after marraige/sexually active. Once a girl begins menstration, the health of the uterus, ovaries, vulva etc.. is very important so I would recommend young girls to visit their gyno regularly.

But that mammogram exam is soooo damn painful, my boobs ache for weeks after exam..so much that I start to wonder if I'm in early preggo lol

Nonetheless, get check out regularly ladies..

And lastly, I would be highly cautious about the hpv vaccine, it's been linked to auto immune diseases so do your research before the needle goes in.

[salool]

It's ignorance and it's partially fueled by the ''religious scholars'' in the Somali communities. I know that in Scandinavia, in Sweden for instance every woman (40+) has the right to do screening tests and routine tests and it's offered by the government. The main problem is the herd mentality. Most Somalis wether they like it or not are commonplace people. Critical thinking and individuality seems to be asbsent from the Somali mindset.

When ur time is up is up, no screen tests or vaccinations can save you.Wax oo dhakhtar ku qaban karo ba iska yar inu morfin ka dhargiyo mooye.Sometimes it's better not knowing at all.

[Meyle]

It's ignorance and it's partially fueled by the ''religious scholars'' in the Somali communities. I know that in Scandinavia, in Sweden for instance every woman (40+) has the right to do screening tests and routine tests and it's offered by the government. The main problem is the herd mentality. Most Somalis wether they like it or not are commonplace people. Critical thinking and individuality seems to be asbsent from the Somali mindset.

When ur time is up is up, no screen tests or vaccinations can save you.Wax oo dhakhtar ku qaban karo ba iska yar inu morfin ka dhargiyo mooye.Sometimes it's better not knowing at all.

True, qof waliba wuu xijaabaneyaa markuu wakhtigiisu dhamaado however screening tests and routine tests increases the chance of detecting cancer at an early stage and that increases the possibility of getting cured.

[Lamagoodle]

It's ignorance and it's partially fueled by the ''religious scholars'' in the Somali communities. I know that in Scandinavia, in Sweden for instance every woman (40+) has the right to do screening tests and routine tests and it's offered by the government. The main problem is the herd mentality. Most Somalis wether they like it or not are commonplace people. Critical thinking and individuality seems to be asbsent from the Somali mindset.

I agree. That it is the herd mentality and the general attitudes which disregards scientific strides.

[Lamagoodle]

Lam, I appreciate your concern to get that word out...It's very important to check once every year...

Also I noticed some girls only visit their obygn after marraige/sexually active. Once a girl begins menstration, the health of the uterus, ovaries, vulva etc.. is very important so I would recommend young girls to visit their gyno regularly.

But that mammogram exam is soooo damn painful, my boobs ache for weeks after exam..so much that I start to wonder if I'm in early preggo lol

Nonetheless, get check out regularly ladies..

And lastly, I would be highly cautious about the hpv vaccine, it's been linked to auto immune diseases so do your research before the needle goes in.

Mammog is too painful and to be honest,its ability to detect breast cancer has recently come under scrutiny; nonetheless, it is the best available option.

The HPV vaccine is important inadeerey! Very important. Since the establishment of a strong relationship between cervical cancer and HPV, it has become apparent that vaccination is the answer. BTW, HPV is not related to sex as many blv. There are indeed side effects and potential limitations but it is worth.

[Lamagoodle]

It's ignorance and it's partially fueled by the ''religious scholars'' in the Somali communities. I know that in Scandinavia, in Sweden for instance every woman (40+) has the right to do screening tests and routine tests and it's offered by the government. The main problem is the herd mentality. Most Somalis wether they like it or not are commonplace people. Critical thinking and individuality seems to be asbsent from the Somali mindset.

When ur time is up is up, no screen tests or vaccinations can save you.Wax oo dhakhtar ku qaban karo ba iska yar inu morfin ka dhargiyo mooye.Sometimes it's better not knowing at all.

True, qof waliba wuu xijaabaneyaa markuu wakhtigiisu dhamaado however screening tests and routine tests increases the chance of detecting cancer at an early stage and that increases the possibility of getting cured.

Typical nonsense !

[zulaika]

Lam, I can respect your position on hpv vaccine, but this is largely for guarding against std related health issues. So before I recommend my young daughter to fortiet her otherwise good health to "preemptively" guard against something she may or may not get, provided that she is sexually active in her preteens and beyond, with multiple partners(something I find very difficult to relate to, as it would lay waste to my parenting efforts) and in doing so increase the probability of auto-immune diseases.......phew, where do I begin to counter this ..."from the fortress into the fire"....

So, without undermining your position, which I'm very sure is coming from a good and concerned place, personally, I think I prefer to play up another form of "preventative" measure and put more stock in vaccinating against the circumstance that will lead to the causes of hpv... If it's the last thing I do....So help me God!!

[Lamagoodle]

Lam, I can respect your position on hpv vaccine, but this is largely for guarding against std related health issues. So before I recommend my young daughter to fortiet her otherwise good health to "preemptively" guard against something she may or may not get, provided that she is sexually active in her preteens and beyond, with multiple partners(something I find very difficult to relate to, as it would lay waste to my parenting efforts) and in doing so increase the probability of auto-immune diseases.......phew, where do I begin to counter this ..."from the fortress into the fire"....

So, without undermining your position, which I'm very sure is coming from a good and concerned place, personally, I think I prefer to play up another form of "preventative" measure and put more stock in vaccinating against the circumstance that will lead to the causes of hpv... If it's the last thing I do....So help me God!!

Ma xumo Zuleika.

[InaSamaale]

Got the HPV vaccine during high school as part of a government initiative to tackle cervical cancer rates among women. Hurt like hell. I didn't know back then there were possible side affects would have reconsidered.

[Lamagoodle]

Got the HPV vaccine during high school as part of a government initiative to tackle cervical cancer rates among women. Hurt like hell. I didn't know back then there were possible side affects would have reconsidered.

There are possible side effects but the benefits are greater.

[BlackVelvet]

I am one of the people you are referring to. I don't go to the doctor, in fact I haven't been for a check up since my mum last took me as a kid. Alxamdulillah I see the body as self correcting (with a bit of my help along the way).

Maybe one day I'll change my mind but for now there is no way I'm going to a gynaecologist. That seems as random to me as going to a podiatrist or audiologist. If it aint broke