Overall, 2 out of every 100 cancers diagnosed in women are cervical cancers and it the most common cancer in women under 35 years old. In the US, January is Cervical Health Month and although it is not ‘celebrated’ in the UK it is certainly something that women need to be aware of as early treatment can prevent cervical changes developing into cancer.
The medical term for this is cervical dysplasia, which is abnormal cell growth in the uterine cervix that is considered to be precancerous. There is a vaccine available for women ages 9 to 26, and in time it may be approved for older women as well.
Cervical dysplasia is commonly caused by infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) and this virus is the major cause of cervical cancer. There are many different types of HPV. It is sometimes called the genital wart virus as some types of HPV cause genital warts. In fact, the types that cause warts are not the types that cause cervical cancer. But there are other types of HPV that are considered ‘high risk’ for cancer of the cervix. HPV is passed on from person to another through sexual contact.
Risk Factors:
Women who get cervical cancer have usually had past infections with HPV as high risk types of HPV can cause changes in the cells covering the cervix that make them more likely to become cancerous in time. BUT most women infected with these viruses do NOT develop cervical cancer, so what are the other factors involved?
- Smoking
- Contraceptive Pill
- A weakened immune system
- Having a large number of children
While the vaccine may help prevent infection, there are no symptoms of cervical dysplasia so having an annual smear is the best way to detect its presence. Even if you’ve been vaccinated you can still be affected by cervical dysplasia.
Symptoms:
Pre-cancerous cell changes do not usually have any symptoms and that it is why it is so important to have a regular smear test. However, if the condition is established then the most common symptom of cervical cancer is bleeding from the vagina at other times than when you are having a period such as between periods, after or during sex and at any time if you are past your menopause.
Not as common, but experienced by some women are a vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant, discomfort or pain during sex. Please note that there are many other conditions that can cause these symptoms and they are much more common than cervical cancer. However, if you experience any of these symptoms go to your doctor immediately and get checked because early detection is the key to a successful treatment.
How to reduce the risk:
• Always practice safe sex if you are sexually active
• Strengthen your immune system with a good diet and appropriate supplements so you are less vulnerable to infection. Of your ‘five a day’ make sure one at least is cabbage as it has anticancer properties and contains phytonutrients that work to protect the body from free radicals that can damage the cell membranes.
For more information and help with any type of cancer please visit http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/ or http://www.cancer.org in the USA and http://www.cancer.org.au in Australia
