5 Important Things to Know about Cervical Cancer

Women should be educated concerning cervical cancer. Knowing the basics of it tremendously helps in saving you from having it. Without further ado, here are five points that can summarize all the essential things you need.

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1. Causes and Risk Factors

The number one cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus infection, also known as HPV. If you are infected with this disease, you are more vulnerable to get cancer in your cervix.

Other than HPV, the risk of getting this disease is due to having multiple sexual partners, especially when there’s no protection. Taking birth control pills, smoking, poor nutrition, and unhealthy lifestyle are also other contributions.

Cervical-Cancer

2. Symptoms

What to watch out for the most regarding cervical cancer are abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge. Pain during sexual intercourse and around the pelvic region is also a sign.

3. Prevention and Diagnosis

Regular exams and tests are helpful in preventing the advancement of cervical cancer. You go through pelvic exams and Pap smear testing to see if there’s any change in your cervix. Other procedures include CT scan, PET scan, and chest X-rays. This allows the doctor (gynecologist) to detect any cancerous cells and if you’re prone to having cancer in the nearest future. By knowing either way, you can have the opportunity to divert the possibility of getting cancer by preventing it.

4. Vaccines and Pre-Cancerous Treatments

Once the changes in the cervix are obvious, possible treatment that helps avoid the further development of cervical cancer includes cryosurgery, laser surgery, and cauterization. If you’re safe, it’s still advisable that you get vaccinated, particularly with Cervarix or Gardasil.

5. Treatment

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When you say cancer, there’s always a chance to survive of course. Early stages of cervical cancer can be easily cured through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. For later stages, the same treatments are conducted but the survival chance can be slim.

The initial way to prevent cervical cancer is to have knowledge about it. Once you know the causes and risk factors, it is easier what to do and avoid. Also, learning the symptoms gives you a clue if you need to see a doctor or not. Nevertheless, it’s best that you see a doctor on a regular basis and have your cervix checked, get vaccinated, and continue living a healthy lifestyle.

Go share this news to your family and friends. It’s also one way to help them avoid this kind of cancer.