There are many types of cancer a women can acquire due to certain complications and risk factors. These include breast, lung, ovarian, skin, endometrial and cervical as the most common among them all.
January – this month – is dedicated as awareness month for cervical cancer. In the past 40 years, cervical cancer cases and deaths associated with it has gone down, and this is largely due to plenty of women getting regular pap tests. Pap tests can help determine cervical precancer cells before they turn into cancer. Just last 2011, around 12,000 women were diagnosed with Cervical cancer and around ⅓ of that perished from the disease.
Determining this disease can help you prevent and avoid the things that may lead you to acquiring it.
The cervix is a cylinder-shaped neck of tissue that connects the vagina and uterus. Cervical cancer affects any woman who is or has been sexually active which leads them to having human papillomavirus (HPV). This has no obvious symptoms that’s why it is better to make a move and prevent it from happening.
Symptoms of cervical cancer are as follows:
- abnormal vagional bleeding
- increased vaginal discharge
- bleeding after going through menopause
- pain during and after sex
- pelvic pain
- lower back pain
Treatment options for cervical cancer includes radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. No one wants to be or have this kind of state.
Here’s an effective cancer prevention plan you should always remember.
- Quit Smoking. Smoking exposes the body to various cancer-causing chemicals that affects the organs other than the lungs. Smoking endangers most of the parts of the body, even worse it can affect the entire body system.
- Vaccination is now implemented in some hospitals and medical clinics. This is done to prevent acquiring HPV. Check out the nearest medical clinic or hospitals near you for more details about this vaccination.
- Screening is the best way to detect the disease and abnormal changes in your body. Having yourself scheduled for a check up with a gynecologist helps you to determine if you are safe or not. Remember to have your screening every three to five years (depends on the age). Cervical cancer screening (testing) should begin at age 21
- After having been vaccinated against HPV you should still follow the screening recommendations for your age group.
- Having a monogamous intimate life is highly recommended. Having more than 1 partner leads to having HPV that causes cancer.
- HPV can also spread through unprotected sex, so using a condom can help reduce your risk of developing the infection.
- Last but not the least, eating variety of fruits and vegetables will help you maintain a strong and healthy body, a cancer low risk body.
On that note, this January, remind the women in your life – whether it’s your mother, sister, or wife/girlfriend to have themselves checked for cervical cancer. It’s always better to understand the symptoms and have yourself tested earlier, than finding out too late.
Statistics source: CDC