Cervical Cancer Screening and Your Health
By Ochi John Chidubem (Jr) (Johnbrain )
“Mrs. Afala you have cervical cancer,” the doctor told her in my presence, there was abrupt silence in the room that you can even hear the ant’s March sound outside the consulting room. A few seconds later came to an outburst of tears and screen, it Mrs. Afala shouting with the heart of bitterness, lamenting the story of her life unconsciously, Mrs. Afala being educated, knowledge of high-class status in the society knew the implication of the diagnosis. She was left in an indent shock and turn, emphatically speaking, that cancer has gone into its advanced stage.
There is no cure for it currently, speaking from a medical point of view or on medical grounds. It can only but by the grace managed with chemotherapy and radiotherapy till the person dies. In a case where the patient in question is financial buoyant enough to carry on the remedial treatment. This sounds sad, tragic, pathetic, unreal, but that is the simple true story, that what people, so many we don’t to hear about pass through daily.
It’s quite a pity she was going to be in pains till her death, from a condition that is preventable if detected early enough.
It only and a miracle that she needs now as I speak to you. Hope you feel for her? Am quite sure you say God forbid in your heart, not my portion and so on.
But come to think of it! Had it been she went for cervical cancer screening (about 3 years ago), it would have been prevented from entering the advanced stage. The real flag would have been detected through early diagnosis.
No woman should die of cervical cancer, go for screening today. Early diagnosis is key to treatment.
Go time through the next phase and answers question that might be running through your mind right now.
WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?
Prior to answering this question, it would be fair I tell you what cervix means. It is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with top end vagina, also known as the womb.
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm or cancer arising for the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. At these stages, typically symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during sexual intercourse, while bleeding after sex may not be serious; it may also induce the presence of cervical cancer.
What types?
Types
Squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma
Symptoms
Early: None
Later in life: vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse
Causes:
Human papillomavirus infection (HPV)
Risk factors:
Smoking, weak immune system, birth control pills, starting sex at a young age, many sexual partners or a partner with many sexual partners.
Diagnostic method
The gold standard for its diagnosis as recommended by WHO is cervical screening (Pap smear and HPV genotyping)
Prevention:
1) There is a need for regular cervical screening at least once in every 3 years for women between the age of 21 and above as recommended.
2) HPV vaccines
Treatment:
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy
Survival rate:
Five years survival rate in the USA (68%) and India (46%)
Frequently of occurrence:
528,000 new cases (2012)
3.4 million With the condition as of 2015
Deaths:
238,600 died of cervical cancer in 2015
Cervical Cancer Screening and Your Health By Ochi John Chidubem (Jr)