Health Tips: What To Know And How To Avoid Cervical Cancer(must read)
January is cervical cancer awareness month, and this week is cervical cancer prevention week (22nd – 28th
January 2017) but for a cancer that kills more women than any other
cancer except breast cancer, awareness is still low. Whether you have a
cervix or you have loved ones who do, here are 10 things you should know
about cervical cancer.
1. Cervical cancer is
cancer arising from the cervix – the neck of the uterus (womb) – due to
abnormal growth of cells that can attack or spread to other parts of the
body.
cancer arising from the cervix – the neck of the uterus (womb) – due to
abnormal growth of cells that can attack or spread to other parts of the
body.
2. Cervical cancer is NOT rare. It is very common. In fact, here in Africa it is the second most common cancer
in women. Whereas in developed countries the widespread use of cervical
screening programmes has dramatically reduced rates of cervical cancer,
women in low-income countries still die of this cancer in alarming
numbers.
in women. Whereas in developed countries the widespread use of cervical
screening programmes has dramatically reduced rates of cervical cancer,
women in low-income countries still die of this cancer in alarming
numbers.
3. Symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal bleeding from the vagina: bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause.
4. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer.
5. Women should eat at
least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Vitamin A, vitamin
B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene are all associated with
lower risk, so you can reduce your risk by including enough fruits and
vegetables in your diet.
least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Vitamin A, vitamin
B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene are all associated with
lower risk, so you can reduce your risk by including enough fruits and
vegetables in your diet.
6. The Human Papilloma
Virus (HPV), which is the most common viral STD and the cause of more
than 90% of all cervical cancer, can be contracted without penetration.
You can get it from oral sex, anal sex and any genital skin-to-skin
contact and because it can infect areas that are not covered by a
condom, condoms will not fully protect you against contracting it.
Virus (HPV), which is the most common viral STD and the cause of more
than 90% of all cervical cancer, can be contracted without penetration.
You can get it from oral sex, anal sex and any genital skin-to-skin
contact and because it can infect areas that are not covered by a
condom, condoms will not fully protect you against contracting it.
7. HPV has no symptoms,
so it is absolutely important to go for a cervical screening test
regularly. It takes only a 5 minutes. HPV does not have to lead to
cervical cancer, and early detection plays a role in this.
so it is absolutely important to go for a cervical screening test
regularly. It takes only a 5 minutes. HPV does not have to lead to
cervical cancer, and early detection plays a role in this.
8. HPV can be prevented
through abstinence, but it is best for girl children, even those who
are not yet sexually active, to receive the HPV vaccine. Please note
that receiving the vaccine does not mean a woman shouldn’t go for
regular screening; the HPV vaccine does not protect against ALL the
types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, so vaccinated women still need
screening.
through abstinence, but it is best for girl children, even those who
are not yet sexually active, to receive the HPV vaccine. Please note
that receiving the vaccine does not mean a woman shouldn’t go for
regular screening; the HPV vaccine does not protect against ALL the
types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, so vaccinated women still need
screening.
9. HPV is not the ONLY
cause of cervical cancer. Smoking, prolonged use of birth control pills,
starting sexual intercourse at a young age, and unprotected sex with
HIV-positive partners are factors that predispose you to HPV.
cause of cervical cancer. Smoking, prolonged use of birth control pills,
starting sexual intercourse at a young age, and unprotected sex with
HIV-positive partners are factors that predispose you to HPV.
10. To assist low-income earners, Cancer Aware Nigeria organizes free cervical cancer screening from time to time. Check out their website.
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