Cervical Cancer

CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS AMONG WOMEN

INTRODUCTION

January is cervical cancer awareness month, and it is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and the leading disease among Ugandan women. In Uganda, cancer cases are estimated to be 54.8 per 100,000 women, with 40.5 cancer-related deaths per 100,000. Cancer attacks the cervix, which is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. Only women have cervixes.

SCREENING TEST FOR CERVICAL TEST

The World Health Organization recommends screening for cervical cancer in women aged 25-49 years old who have not had a hysterectomy, invasive cervical cancer, or been previously screened and treated for cervical cancer by using an HR-HPV test followed by VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid).

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A WOMAN BE SCREENED FOR CERVICAL CANCER?

Every five years, or every three years, a woman can get screened with a Pap test or an HPV/Pap test.

CAUSES OF CERVICAL CANCER

  • Specific high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) subtypes are considered to be major causes of cervical cancer. Almost all sexually active women are infected with HPV during their lifetime but spontaneously recover within 24 months.
  • Early sexual activity is also one of the causes of cervical cancer in women. Research shows that women under the age of 17 have a higher risk, three times higher than those over the age of 21.
  • Immunosuppression is caused by drugs or disease. Women taking drugs to suppress their immune response, such as those being treated for autoimmune disease, are also at risk for cervical cancer.
  • Other diseases, such as HIV, which causes AIDS, weaken the immune system and make one more susceptible to HPV infections. Cancer cells are destroyed by the immune system, which also slows their growth and spread. As a result, women with HIV have a higher risk of developing cervical pre-cancer into invasive cancer sooner than would be expected.
  • Women’s smoking habits may also be a factor. According to research, women who smoke are roughly twice as likely as those who do not smoke to develop cervical cancer. Tobacco by-products have been discovered in the cervical mucus of women who smoke. These substances, according to researchers, cause DNA damage in cervical cells and may contribute to the development of cervical cancer. Smoking also reduces the immune system’s ability to fight HPV infections.
  • Having multiple sexual partners can also expose one to the risk of contracting HPV, thus, a high risk of cervical cancer.
  • Having one sexual partner is also considered high risk, or someone with HPV infection or many partners.
  • Women who have had several children
  • Poor socioeconomic status
  • Competing health needs among people
  • Misconceptions about screening
  • Poor prevention of cervical cancer

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER

  • Cervical cancer has no early warning signs or symptoms. However, some signs and symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, or bleeding during sexual intercourse, appear later.
  • Postmenopausal bleeding can be a sign of cervical cancer
  • Smelly and abnormal vaginal discharge
  • rectovaginal fistula really at the latest stage of the cancer
  • unexplained fatigue
  • pelvic pain or back pain
  • itching or burning sensations in the vagina
  • frequent and urgent urination
  • abnormal bloating
  • nausea
  • weight loss

STAGES OF CERVICAL CANCER.

Cervical cancer has four stages, which are as follows:

  • STAGE 1

This stage is the most local stage of cancer and occurs when the cancer cells grow from the cervix’s surface into the cervix’s deeper tissues. Cancer has not spread to the nearby lymph nodes and distant sites at this stage. This stage can be treated, and the survival rate is approximately 92% in women who can live over 5 years.

  • STAGE 2 

The cancer cells in stage 2 cervical cancer have grown and spread outside of the cervix and uterus but not to the pelvic or vaginal wall, surrounding lymph nodes, or distant regions. Chemotherapy and radiation can be used to treat and cure it, and surgery may be necessary in many instances. The probability of survival is roughly 61%.

  • STAGE 3

When cervical cancer reaches stage 3, it progresses to the pelvic walls and the lower part of the vagina. In this case, the lymph nodes and lower vaginal and pelvic walls may also have been affected by the spread of cervical cancer, although not distant sites. Tumours may also obstruct the ureters. The symptoms mentioned include difficulty urinating, bloody urine, and swelling in the legs. The survival rate is about 35%, and treatment options include radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

  • STAGE 4 

It is the most advanced stage of cancer and occurs when cancer cells have spread to other organs such as the bladder, rectum, bones, lungs, and many others. The symptoms are vaginal fistula, shortness of breath, bone deficiency, dizziness, and lethargy. In many cases, stage 4 cervical cancer is incurable. However, nearly one in every hundred women survives stage 4 cervical cancer. Furthermore, the survival rate is 16.8%.

NB:

Stage 1 can be treated and cured, which is why it is referred to as the pre-cancer stage. Stage 2 can also be treated. However, stages 3 and 4 cannot be cured but can be prolonged.

 

CONCLUSION

Cervical cancer remains a huge disease burden for women in resource-limited settings and rural areas. Although HPV vaccines are highly effective in women, implementation of HPV vaccination in developing countries remains a challenge, and people turning up for vaccination are still few in remote areas. HIV infection is associated with a higher incidence of cervical cancer.

LET US ALL HELP SPREAD UP THE NEWS OF CERVICAL CANCER AND SAVE LIVES.

Apio Nuame

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