Cervical Cancer: Understand and stay safe!
After covid, people across the globe have become much more health conscious. Today there are so many health issues that we do not know which one to pay attention to. But cervical cancer is one such disease which every woman of all ages must know.
What is cervical cancer?
This is a type of cancer which affects the cervix part of uterus and middle part of vagina. This is such a disease which grows very slowly and cannot be detected in the beginning. it is caused by Human Papillomavirus infection. In some cases it gets cured on its own but in some cases this infection becomes cancerous.
How to check for its symptoms?
In the initial stage of cervical cancer the symptoms are not prominent due to which it becomes quite tricky to detect it without a test or any diagnosis but still there are some signs which we should not ignore.
- Vaginal bleeding before the period date.
- Sudden bleeding after menopause
- During intercourse if you are feeling pain and discomfort
- Vaginal discharge if its thick and very foul smelling
- Pelvic area being painful sometimes not regular
These symptoms are not the sign of cervical cancer but in case of cervical cancer ignoring these signs can cause cancer in its severe stage. For cervical cancer only early detection is correct as it becomes quite severe in the later stages. So consult a gynecologists’ as soon as possible for any abnormalities if you are facing.
Test is important!
Cervical cancer has spread so much across the globe that it is advisable that every woman of age 21-65 should get a Pap smear screening done once every three years whether she has symptoms or not.
Also those who are 30+ should get an HPV test done every five years.
Even if there are no symptoms in the body, getting a couple of tests done will keep us on the safe side as it is truly said prevention is better than cure.
some important steps to take care of :
- HPV vaccine – its advisable to take the vaccine of HPV from 9- 45 years of age because it reduces the risk of cervical cancer.
- Safe Sexual Practices- HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, so always maintain safe practices
- Say NO to smoking – smoking weakens the immune system and our body to fight against the virus.
- Regular Screening – regular pap smear testing and HPV testing is the best way to detect any abnormality in its early stage.
Myths and Misconceptions:
Many women think that if they do not have symptoms then they do not need screening, or that the HPV vaccine is only for young girls. It is very important to address these misconceptions. HPV vaccine can protect you even in later stages, and screening is necessary for every woman – no matter the symptoms!
Myths about cervical cancer !
Many women have a lot of misconceptions about cervical cancer, like
- vaccine is only for young age
- HPV vaccine does not reduce the risk of infection in old age
- If there are no symptoms, there is no need to get tested
- If symptoms are seen, they do not consult the doctor saying that it is not cancer, it is just normal and they will get well.
- They do the same themselves and also advise each other.
Be wise, take wise decisions.
Cervical cancer is a serious issue and if we do regular screening and make each other aware then we can prevent this disease. Your health is in your hands. So please talk to gynecologists’ if anything weird is happening, take the preventive tests done, get the vaccination done, because ultimately it’s our health!