Normal cells in your body grow, die, and are replaced by new cells under the influence of various triggers that are regulated by your body. This is why your skin cells peel off periodically.
Cancer is a disease where this normal cell death and replacement system is no longer functioning as it should be as such whilst old cells are not dying, new cells are still being developed in an uncontrollable manner.
Cancer is always named according to the part of the body it started from, even if it spreads to other parts. The cervix is the mouth of the womb and holds the developing baby in place until it is time for delivery. Cancer arising from this part is known as Cervical Cancer.
What makes cervical cancer different from all other cancers is that it is almost
entirely preventable! In most western countries, the incidence of cervical cancer has been significantly reduced, with the introduction of effective screening tools and vaccination programs. If detected early, the cure rate is 100%.
It is, however, baffling that in Sub-Saharan Africa, thousands of women die annually, from this highly preventable disease. In Ghana alone, 2000 women die annually from this disease.
January has been set aside as cervical cancer awareness month; as such, it is prudent that we throw some light on this disease that should not be killing our women.
Over 90% of cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection 1, yet you probably never heard about it, probably because in most people, the immune system will be able to clear the virus from the body without any problem. Some people, however, will develop a more common manifestation of this infection, which is genital warts in both males and females. In a fewer number of people, the virus will cause further changes which eventually result in development of cancer. This obviously puts all sexually active women at risk of cervical cancer.
70% of all cervical cancer is caused by 2 types of HPV, type 16 and 18; this has implications when we talk about prevention later.
Men tend to get milder forms of HPV manifestation, i.e. warts around the penis, scrotum, and anal regions, however in men with HIV or men who engage in same-sex practices, the risk of anal, penile, and throat cancer is significantly high.
Sex-related factors that further increase the risk of HPV infection in women include: Normal cells in your body grow, die, and are replaced by new cells under the influence of various triggers that are regulated by your body. This is why your skin cells peel off periodically.
Cancer is a disease where this normal cell death and replacement system is no longer functioning as it should be as such whilst old cells are not dying, new cells are still being developed in an uncontrollable manner. Cancer is always named according to the part of the body it started from, even if it spreads to other parts. The cervix is the mouth of the womb and holds the developing baby in place until it is time for delivery. Cancer arising from this part is known as Cervical Cancer.
What makes cervical cancer different from all other cancers is that it is almost entirely preventable! In most western countries, the incidence of cervical cancer has been significantly reduced, with the introduction of effective screening tools and vaccination programs. If detected early, the cure rate is 100%.
It is, however, baffling that in Sub-Saharan Africa, thousands of women die annually, from this highly preventable disease. In Ghana alone, 2000 women die annually from this disease.
January has been set aside as cervical cancer awareness month; as such, it is prudent that we throw some light on this disease that should not be killing our women.
Over 90% of cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, yet you probably never heard about it, probably because in most people, the immune system will be able to clear the virus from the body without any problem. Some people, however, will develop a more common manifestation of this infection, which is genital warts in both males and females. In a fewer number of people, the virus will cause further changes which eventually result in the development of cancer. This obviously puts all sexually active women at risk of cervical cancer.
70% of all cervical cancer is caused by 2 types of HPV, type 16 and 18; this has implications when we talk about prevention later.
Men tend to get milder forms of HPV manifestation, i.e. warts around the penis, scrotum, and anal regions, however in men with HIV or men who engage in same-sex practices, the risk of anal, penile, and throat cancer is significantly high2.
Sex-related factors that further increase the risk of HPV infection in women include: Normal cells in your body grow, die, and are replaced by new cells under the influence of various triggers that are regulated by your body. This is why your skin cells peel off periodically.
Cancer is a disease where this normal cell death and replacement system is no longer functioning as it should be as such whilst old cells are not dying, new cells are still being developed in an uncontrollable manner.
Cancer is always named according to the part of the body it started from, even if it spreads to other parts. The cervix is the mouth of the womb and holds the developing baby in place until it is time for delivery. Cancer arising from this part is known as Cervical Cancer.
What makes cervical cancer different from all other cancers is that it is almost entirely preventable! In most western countries, the incidence of cervical cancer has been significantly reduced, with the introduction of effective screening tools and vaccination programs. If detected early, the cure rate is 100%.
It is, however, baffling that in Sub-Saharan Africa, thousands of women die annually, from this highly preventable disease. In Ghana alone, 2000 women die annually from this disease.
January has been set aside as cervical cancer awareness month; as such, it is prudent that we throw some light on this disease that should not be killing our women.
Over 90% of cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection 1, yet you probably never heard about it, probably because in most people, the immune system will be able to clear the virus from the body without any problem. Some people, however, will develop a more common manifestation of this infection, which is genital warts in both males and females. In a fewer number of people, the virus will cause further changes which eventually result in the development of cancer. This obviously puts all sexually active women at risk of cervical cancer.
70% of all cervical cancer is caused by 2 types of HPV, type 16 and 18; this has implications when we talk about prevention later.
Men tend to get milder forms of HPV manifestation, i.e. warts around the penis, scrotum, and anal regions, however, in men with HIV or men who engage in same-sex practices, the risk of anal, penile, and throat cancer is significantly high.
Sex-related factors that further increase the risk of HPV infection in women include:
• First sexual encounter in teenage years
• Woman with multiple sexual partners; or a woman whose partner has multiple sexual partners
• Prolonged use of birth control pills; usually five or more years
• Multiple births; three or more children
Other non-sexual related risk factors include
• Weakened immune system, e.g. HIV infection and Poorly controlled diabetes.
• Smoking
By understanding the risk factors, we can map out a strategy for prevention. Such strategies are similar to those used in the prevention of HIV infection, since HPV is also sexually transmitted.
1. Abstain
Abstain from sex until you are ready to settle down; if that is not possible, then resort to number 2
2. Be faithful
Be faithful to one partner, and hope that your partner also remains faithful to you. If you cannot keep this one, or you cannot tell how faithful your partner is, then number three is key.
3. Use a condom
Condoms serve as a barrier to the transmission of the virus and are therefore very useful in the prevention of the disease.
4. Detect
AB and C are aimed at primary prevention, however, they are not foolproof; hence the need for screening periodically to detect early infection.
The role of the Pap smear test cannot be overemphasized. the presence of the virus and/or after the first sexual encounter
Some symptoms include:
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding after sex (Contact bleeding)
• Rarely, a feeling of a mass in the vagina
Note that in cancer, the appearance of symptoms usually means the disease is advanced. This is why it is important to get screened even when you don’t ‘feel anything.
What about Vaccination?
There are currently three(two are readily available in Ghana)
It is my prayer that this article will urge all women to get a Pap smear
done to know their current status, and to schedule subsequent visits to facilitate the prevention of this terrible disease.
SNAPSHOT
Cervical cancer kills 2000 Ghanaian women annually
Cervical cancer is preventable
Cervical cancer is sexually transmitted, so practicing safe sex
Pap smear can detect cervical cancer early enough for 100% cure
Dr. Kelvin Owusu
Optimacare Diagnostics
info.optimacare@gmail.com
+2330204317557
Reference:
1. https://www.nfid.org/2021/01/29/7-facts-about-hpv-cervical-cancer/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/expert-answers/hpv/faq-20057761
