Helping more women survive cervical cancer

Under the microscope

Dr Matthys Cornelis van Aardt, or MC as he likes to be called, is a specialist gynaecologist obstetrician at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria. He did his community service in Standerton and his internship at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg. He spends his downtime pursuing a variety of sporting events. “I like being physically active,” the 33-year-old says.

Approximately eight South African women die every day from cervical cancer. Dr Matthys van Aardt believes local research could help reduce those numbers.

Cervical cancer has a significant impact on society, because death often occurs in young women at the age when they’re raising families. Unfortunately in sub-Saharan Africa, where other life-threatening illnesses like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis take precedence, cervical cancer does not get the attention it needs. Prof Greta Dreyer, the head of gynaecologic oncology at the University of Pretoria, says the question Dr van Aardt will attempt to answer through his research will be crucial for cervical cancer screening test selection in South Africa, and lies at the base of cancer prevention policies and programmes. “Invasive cervical cancer is preceded by HPV infections. Despite numerous HPV types illustrated on cervical surface typing, the causal relationship between the specific oncogenic type and theresultant neoplasia is complex,” says Dr van Aardt, and it is here that he is focusing his research. “I would like to add new insight into HPV causing cervical abnormalities in our country and in guiding future HPV vaccines in women with and without HIV.” Dr van Aardt’s passion for medicine has been many years in the making. “I have a constant desire to be the best I can possibly be and medicine is the field that best suited to this need. As a constantly evolving and challenging field, it enables me to push my own limitations and forces me to improve my abilities. I believe that we serve a purpose greater than ourselves and that God planned this life for me.” He chose Obstetrics and Gynaecology as his specialization because he says it is a field where many different aspects of

medicine are at play. “After starting specialisation I realised that I had a special interest in gynaecologic oncology. I feel there is a big difference we can make in women diagnosed with cancer, from conveying bad news to guiding treatment and treatment options and palliative care.” Prof Dreyer says doctorate students and successful candidates in the clinical sciences are scarce and few clinicians are interested in full time research posts. In addition, full time doctorate studiesin clinical sciences are difficult to fund and salaries are expensive.

As a full time doctorate student Dr van Aardt will contribute in a major way to the research done at the University’s Women’s Cancer Research Centre and its clinical sub-specialty unit. The

Centre focuses on cancer prevention strategies for gynaecological and breast cancer. Its ongoing projects include investigating how HPV vaccine implementation in schools can best be done.