– Okay, we have to do something about this. That was Alasoow’s first thought when she heard that immigrant women check themselves less than Norwegian-born women. A cervical smear can reveal cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. The 31-year-old has roots from Somalia and is committed to ensuring that information about women’s health reaches Somali immigrant women. A hectic everyday life at Ringerike Hospital does not stop the doctor on duty from motivating women who have immigrated to Norway. – If they get to hear it from a person who speaks the same language, the probability is very high that it will reach more people. Do not take the test Women between the ages of 25 and 69 are recommended to take a cervical test regularly. But among women who were born abroad and among children of two who have immigrated to Norway, there are many who do not take this test. A study from 2020 shows that 52 percent of them do not. Among ethnically Norwegian women, the proportion was 32 per cent. More people need to check themselves Alasoow has made an informational video about where you can take the test, that it doesn’t hurt and that it doesn’t take long. And it works: – I have received feedback from women who thank me for the video and have taken the pap smear for the first time after watching it, says the doctor on duty. Falastin Alasoow tells about the cervical test in Somali. But she finds that newly arrived women are more skeptical about checking themselves. – Those who have lived here longer are more open and trust research more. Not a priority The test can detect serious cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. – The earlier the test is taken, the better the prognosis and treatment. You can get a worse prognosis if you wait to check yourself, says Alasoow. It is recommended to check yourself every three to five years, depending on which age group you are in. The Oslo woman believes that it can sometimes be a matter of lack of knowledge. She also says that several are from countries where they do not have access to a screening system, such as in Norway. – In addition to that, it is not common to get tested in such countries. It has therefore not been a priority to go to the doctor and check yourself once a year, as is done here in Norway. Must think about herself It is not only Alasoow who works to provide information to immigrant women. The smell of freshly baked waffles and coffee spreads at Fjellhamar farm. A group of curious women have turned up to take part in the information meeting about the cervical test. Several of the ladies are newly arrived in Norway and therefore the aim is to create a safe atmosphere. We meet Fadia Iraki and Hazel Amita Arthur who are participating in the event for the Norwegian Women’s Sanitation Association Lørenskog. SHARES: Fadia Iraki provides information about the cervical test. Photo: Ingrid Ciakudia-Moxnes / news – Immigrant women are not as open to having gynecological examinations. You push it away and seek an appointment only when you get serious things, says Iraki. The committed woman works at the Refugee Office in the municipality and is a health ambassador. She has a lot of contact with Syrian refugee families. Iraki feels that new arrivals do not have health as their first priority. Hazel Amita Arthur also believes that minority women must take their health seriously. AT SCHOOL: Hazel Amita Arthur believes that information about the cervical test should be given at school. Photo: Ingrid Ciakudia-Moxnes / news – Women’s health is community health, community health is the city’s health and the city’s health is the country’s health, she says with great commitment. Iraki adds: – Many are afraid, shy and dread a gynecological examination. Culturally, you may not be so open to it. Iraki explains that it can also be about thinking it costs a lot of money, not knowing where to go or not having time because you have to look after the children. It worries her. – It is important that you think about your health first, she says. Receive letters in the mother tongue The mass testing with cervical samples is run by the Cancer Registry through the Cervical Cervical Programme. Head of the programme, Ameli Tropé, tells news that there are several Norwegian studies related to mass testing among immigrants. Among other things, the research project “Immigrant screen”. A project in the Cancer Registry which is initially aimed at bowel cancer screening and mammography. PROJECT: Ameli Tropé talks about research projects. Photo: The cervix program – We send out letters in the woman’s mother tongue and in Norwegian to see if it can have an effect. We have learned from previous studies that you have the best effect via a leader in your environment, explains Tropé. The doctor believes that one should not generalize. – There are so many immigrant women, and it’s about where you come from and when you arrived. Some may even have taken the test just before they came to Norway. Willing to reach out to everyone Turnuslegen Alasoow continues his work at Ringerike Hospital. She is passionate about women’s health and dreams of becoming a gynecologist in the future. – I feel many people do not talk about it enough, especially in the Somali community. DON’T KNOW: Many people don’t know where to check themselves, says Falastin. Photo: Private Both young and adult women tell Alasoow that they are afraid to go to the gynecologist for various reasons. Some also believe that they do not need to check themselves because they are not ill, but the doctor on duty explains that you can be symptom-free. Ildsjelen believes that measures should be introduced to ensure that information about cervical screening reaches newly arrived immigrants. – When the GP knows that the patient has not had a cervical smear previously, they can receive a reminder. It could be a good measure, I think. #Checkdeg September is #checkdeg month. The aim of the #sjekkdeg campaign is to get more women involved in the Cervical Cancer Programme. The number of women taking cervical tests has increased since the campaign started in 2015, and many have avoided getting cervical cancer. #sjekkdeg was started in 2015 by journalist Thea Steen, after she herself got cervical cancer. Together with the Cancer Society and Det Nye, Thea made an enormous effort to ensure that other women did not experience the same thing as her. In 2016, Thea died of cervical cancer, aged 26. Source: The Norwegian Cancer Society
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Over half of immigrant women drop out of cervical screening – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
