CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer occurs when the cells of the cervix grow abnormally and invade other
tissues and organs of the body. The uterine cervix is the lowest portion of a woman's uterus
(womb), connecting the uterus with the vagina.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

Research found that 99.7% of cervical cancers caused by Human Papilloma Virus
(HPV). HPV viruses are generally spread through sexual contact when there is direct contact
between genital skin, exchange of body fluids, and through oral sex.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

As in many cancers, you may have no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer until it has
progressed to a dangerous stage. They may include :
 Great pain and discomfort during sex associated with abnormal vaginal bleeding
(other than during menstruation)
 Changes in the menstrual period without obvious causes
 Dizziness and fatigue caused by anemia
 Weight loss drastically

Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer

× Girls who begin sexual activity before age 20
× Multiple sexual partners
× Having a weakened immune system
× Having more than 5 children, or having them at an early age
× Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for more than 5 years
× Smoking

Prevention of Cervical Cancer

 Consume food with balanced nutrition, especially which contain a lot of Vitamin C,
Vitamin A and folic acid.
 Having sex safely and without changing partners.
 Do not have a sex before 20 years old
 Do the pap test regularly
The American Cancer Society recommends that starting at age 21, women should get a
Pap test every 3 years until age 29. After that, it’s every 3-5 years through age 65.
 HPV Vaccine
The ideal time to get the HPV vaccine is before you’re sexually active. So they’re
available for children starting when they’re 11 or 12 years old. Women can still get
the vaccine until they’re 26
 Do not smoke
The chemicals in cigarette smoke interact with the cells of the cervix, causing
precancerous changes that may over time progress to cancer. The risk of cervical cancer
in cigarette smokers is two to five times that of the general population.
 PAP SMEAR

Pap smear is a microscopic examination of cells taken from the uterine cervix. A Pap
smear can detect certain viral infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), which is
known to cause cervical cancer. Early treatment of precancerous changes detected on the Pap
smear can stop cervical cancer before it fully develops.