Beat Cervical Cancer by Preventing It

There’s a lot being said and written about cervical cancer. It may all sound confusing and alarming. From all the information floating around, the key takeout point is that Cervical Cancer can be nearly totally prevented.

At SRM Global Hospitals Pvt Ltd, our aim is to promote wellness through promotion of knowledge and awareness. Knowing the enemy will help you beat it. Knowledge about cervical cancer and what causes it will help you prevent it.So, let’s start by learning what cervical cancer is.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the cervix is called cervical cancer. The cancer can spread to other parts of the body if it is not detected and treated early.

What causes cervical cancer?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of most cases of cervical cancer. Not all HPV infections lead to cervical cancer, but the risk of developing cervical cancer after an HPV infection may increase with smoking, weakened immune system and a family history of cervical cancer.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms in the early stages. In its advanced stages cervical cancer causes unmistakable symptoms such as:

Unusual vaginal bleeding between periods, after menopause, after intercourse or after a pelvic examination
Pain during intercourse
Unusual discharge from the vagina

Detecting precancerous cells and treating them is the best way to prevent development of cervical cancer.

What you can do to prevent cervical cancer

Get a regular screening

Cervical cancer typically develops slowly. It takes several years to progress from an early stage of cell abnormalities in the cervix to full-blown cancer. Fortunately, the precancerous stage provides an opportunity for detection and intervention to prevent the development of cancerous cells. Identifying and treating these abnormal cells is crucial to preventing cervical cancer. A regular cancer screening is one of the surest ways of detecting the precancerous cells.

Screening tests include:

Pap Test

The best method for detecting precancer cells is a Pap Test. During this test a sample of cells is taken from the cervix to be studied in a laboratory. This test will tell you if there are any abnormal precancerous cells in your cervix. Detecting and treating precancer cells will prevent progression to the next stage, that is development of cervical cancer.

You should typically get a regular pap test after you reach 21 years of age. Your doctor will advise you on how often you should get the tests.

HPV Test

An HPV test will let you know if you have an HPV infection, which can cause genital warts and cancers including cervical cancer. If you are over 30 years of age, you should consider getting an HPV test. It is also recommended if you have had an abnormal Pap Test. An HPV test is not a substitute for Pap Test but may be done together with it to arrive at a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.

HPV vaccination

HPV vaccination will protect you against most of the HPV infections that could cause cervical cancer. For best protection the vaccine must be taken before becoming sexually active, ideally during childhood or adolescence.

With just these two steps you can prevent cervical cancer. So, get screened and get vaccinated.

Consult the expert oncologists at SRM Global Hospitals Pvt Ltd, Kattankulathur for more information on cervical cancer, preventive screening tests, vaccination and the most advanced cancer treatment options.

Beat Cervical Cancer by Preventing It