Cervical Cancer ranks as one of the leading cause of cancer mortality in Guyanese women and the first most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. According to the World Health Rankings, Guyana is ranked at #21 in the world.
Women who are most affected by cervical cancer are those who have unprotected sex, are below the age of 35 years, are Amerindian, are infected with HPV, are HIV/AIDS positive or are diabetic.
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Human papillomavirus, or HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer. You can attract the virus by having sexual contact with someone who has it.
The HPV virus comes in many forms but not all types cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
The symptoms of cervical cancer may not be noticeable in the early stages. But they may develop when the cervical cancer cells start to invade surrounding tissues. When they do develop, here are some of the things to look out for.
● Abnormal vaginal bleeding
● Vaginal bleeding after sex
● Bleeding or spotting between periods
● Longer or heavier menstrual periods than usual
● Other abnormal vaginal discharge
● Pain during sexual intercourse
What are the risk factors associated with cervical cancer?
We know cervical cancer is caused by an infection of the high-risk HPV types, but not all persons who are infected will develop cancer. Therefore, other factors also play a role in the development of cervical cancer. Certain risk factors have been identified that increase a woman’s risk for developing cervical cancer. These are:
● Family history of cervical cancer
● Immune system suppression
● Past or current Chlamydia infection
● Obesity
● Tobacco smoking
● Long-term use of oral contraceptives
● Having three or more full-term pregnancies
● Having a first full-term pregnancy before age 17
● Poverty
How to prevent Cervical Cancer?
The proven way to prevent cervical cancer is to do a regular screening called a pap smear to find the affected cells in the cervix that have the potential to develop into pre-cancer cells. They are observed under a microscope and can be treated and reversed before they develop into the invasive cancer. Most invasive cervical cancers are found in women who have not had regular Pap tests. Another way to prevent cervical cancer is by taking the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine. The vaccine helps protect against the Type 16 and 18 human papillomavirus that leads to cervical cancer.
