How To Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the abnormal cell growth of the cervix which is the lower part of the uterus. Just like any other forms of cancer it is a serious disease that can be life threatening. Cervical cancer ranked as the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the Philippines and the Philippine Cancer Society estimates that there are 10 Filipino women dying each day due to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is mainly caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). When a woman is infected with HPV, abnormal cells develop in the lining of the cervix. If this condition is not detected and treated early, they become precancerous and may eventually turn into cancer within a few years. In some cases, precancer cells can become cancer cells within a short period of one year.

Cervical cancer can occur at any age in a woman’s life with about 50% of them diagnosed between 35 and 55 years of age. Many of these women were most likely exposed to HPV when they were teenagers or in their twenty's.

The simplest way to detect early cervical cancer is through a Papanicolaou test or commonly known as Pap smear. A Pap smear can detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix even before these cells become cancer cells. The results of a Pap smear test helps determine if further testing is needed to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Treatment of cervical cancer may include any combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Response to treatment varies greatly among individuals. Experienced doctors will be able to determine the best treatment options for cervical cancer.

But of course the best way is always to prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer. As mentioned earlier, a Pap smear test can detect early abnormal cells before becoming true cancer cells and appropriate treatment can be started early. Statistics have shown that over 60% of women treated for invasive cervical cancers are those women who had NO Pap smear test in the last 5 years before they were diagnosed to be suffering from the disease.

Fortunately for our younger generation of women, there is now an approved vaccination against HPV. HPV vaccination if given before the woman becomes sexually active can prevent significantly the occurrence of cervical cancer.

Ask your OB-Gyne specialist about HPV vaccination.