Cervical Cancer
The cervix is located where the uterus
connects to the vagina. According to the CDC
13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the US each year and
roughly 4,00 women die from this cancer. There are two main types of cervical
cancer that women are prone to getting: Squamous cell carcinoma and
Adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is cervical cancer that begins in the
squamous cells and adenocarcinoma begins in the glandular cells that line the
cervical canal.
HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV
stands for human papillomavirus and is a virus passed during sex from one
person to another. HPV is a virus that women often times live with and have no
symptoms. HPV can go away with time on its own but when it doesn’t go away it
puts women at risk for cervical cancer.
Symptoms of cervical cancer:
·
Vaginal bleeding between
periods or after menopause
·
Discharge that is blood, watery
and may be heavy or have a foul odor to it
·
Pelvic pain
Other factors that contribute to
cervical cancer:
·
Smoking
·
Weakened immune system
·
Sexually transmitted infections
·
Early sexual activity
·
Many sexual partners
How to prevent cervical cancer:
There are a few ways that women can reduce
the chances of getting cervical cancer such as: routine pap smears, practicing
safe sex, and by not smoking. Those these are a few ways that can help reduce
the chances of a women getting cervical cancer does not mean that there isn’t
still a chance that can still get it.
In-Conclusion:
Cervical cancer is a cancer that most women
are exposed to every year. Women living with HPV that is untreated or didn’t go
away on its own are risk for getting cervical cancer at some point in their
life. Cervical cancer can be prevented when women follow a healthy medical
routine such as getting routine pap smears and by practicing safe sex. If you
feel you may have HPV or may have cervical cancer consult with your doctor to
get the help that you may need.
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