Joy Anyim
The cervix is a cylinder-shaped neck tissue that is located at the lower part of the uterus. It connects the vagina and the uterus and exercises a level of control on what goes into the womb.
As important as this female body part is, it is threatened by some diseases, one of which is fatal -Cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer which is also known as cancer of the cervix occurs when the cells in the cervix begins to grow and replicate in an abnormal and uncontrollable way. When this happens, there will be a malfunctioning of the cells.
The cells further forms tumors that destroys the body system. When the malignant tumours advances, they may spread to other parts of the body, thereby destroying normal cells.
Though life threatening and estimated to be the second largest killer of woman around the world, cervical cancer is one of the very few cancers that are preventable.
In 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer were reported all over the world. In a statement to mark the February 4, world cancer Day in 2019, the WHO had said nine out of ten women who die from cervical cancer is from a low and middle income countries.
The WHO had also warned that if no action was taken, deaths from the disease will rise by almost 50 per cent by 2040.
What causes Cervical Cancer?
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a primary cause of cervical cancer. The HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and it causes over 70 percent of cervical cancer. There are about a hundred type of HPV but type 16 and 18 are major causes of cervical cancer.
Hence, health experts advise that the girl child be vaccinated against HPV before she becomes sexually active. The WHO recommends HPV vaccine for girls from age 9 to 14.
It is therefore a fact that every woman or girl that is sexual active can have cervical cancer. But in some cases HPV may not lead to cervical cancer.
Smoking and some medical issues can also led to cervical cancer.
Symptoms of Cervical cancer:
The symptoms of cervical cancer includes: pain in the pelvis, pain during sexual intercourse, abnormal; heavy or irregular menstruation or spotting, abnormal vaginal bleeding or abnormal virginal discharge, fatigue, nausea and weight loss.
How do you prevent cervical cancer?
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that starting at age 21, women should get a Pap test or HPV test regularly. Once every three years till age 65 is most appropriate.
Fewer sex partners is also advisable. Since HPV can be gotten through sex, it is wiser to stick to a faithful partner rather than having too many partner which may expose a woman to HPV and later cervical cancer. Using condom during sex is also a preventive measure.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, habits such as smoking should be avoided. Smokers are twice at risk. A weak immune system also puts women at risk of having
Treatment:
Prevention is always far cheaper than treatment in any health condition, cervical cancer inclusive.
In the case of cervical cancer, surgery to remove the womb (Hysterectomy) or cervix alone can be considered.
Another treatment option is the cold or heat treatment of suspicious cancer cells. In advanced stage of cervical cancer, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are considered as the best treatment options.
