News

Young Dominican Lyndelle Joseph, through the efforts of Government to educate Dominica’s youth, is making a difference in the fight against cervical cancer. Lyndelle who benefitted from a full government scholarship is back home from studies in St. Kitts where she spent six months specialising in Gynaecological Cytology.

Lyndelle recently graduated valedictorian of the first class of Mediserve Cytology Training School.

GIS news met with Lyndelle at the Medical Lab of the Princess Margaret Hospital where she is currently employed as a Gynaecological Cytologist.

“Gynaecological Cytology is the study of cells predominantly in pap smears...basically the diagnosis of cervical cancer and pre-cancerous conditions in pap smears.”

Joseph said she went into the field because she wanted to fill the need in the sector.

“I knew that there was a need for trained professionals to screen the pap smears coming into the lab because there was not enough trained persons going into the field. When I was approached by my superiors here at the lab to find out whether I was interested I jumped at the opportunity because I knew it was something that was needed and very important for the [welfare]of the public.

She says she is passionate about her job and pleased that she can help make a difference in the disturbing statistics which represent the cervical cancer rate in the Caribbean.

“It’s nice to come to come to work every day and know that what I do could save somebody’s life every single day because cervical cancer in killing women in this part of the world: the Caribbean and Latin America at a very alarming rate. In North America and Europe because of extensive cervical cancer screening, the number of cervical cancer fatalities is reduced almost to nothing. In the Caribbean and Dominica, women who are still young and in child-bearing years are dying of a cancer that is completely 100 percent preventable.”

Lyndelle feels strongly that Dominican women should look after their health and protect themselves by early detection from cervical cancer.

She described the process which can help save a woman’s life.

“You go to your health care provider, who will take a clinical history, then you will be asked to lie down and a swab of cervical cells will be taken using a speculum. The cells will then be placed on a slide and sent to the laboratory. The entire process is painless and non-invasive and somewhat comfortable as long as you feel secure with your health care provider. The procedure will not be terribly uncomfortable.”

“After the slide is taken it is sent to lab, here we log it, stain it and it is read. If there is some abnormality or pre-malignant condition, that case will be referred to the pathologist who will agree or disagree and make her own recommendations. A report is then made which is sent to the health care provider,” she said.

Lyndelle performed a brief demonstration of her role in the process as gynaecological cytologist.

She urged Dominican women to take control of their cervical health.

 “It is very important to get regular cervical cancer screenings, you can get them at your health centres and it is so important to get the pap smears done and to follow up on the results. Women should also follow the recommendations of their health care providers. No woman has to die from cervical cancer.”

Lyndelle says she’s thankful for the opportunity provided for her by Government to give back to Dominican women.