What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer begins when cells in the cervix change and start to grow out of control, forming a cancerous tumour. It is usually a slow-growing cancer that is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Once the cervix is infected, pre-cancerous lesions may develop and if left untreated it can evolve into cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Early cervical cancer can be asymptomatic, but the symptoms vary from woman to woman. Symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include irregular blood spotting or bleeding, bleeding after sexual intercourse, and increased vaginal discharge.
There may be more severe symptoms as the cancer progresses, such as persistent pain, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, a foul-smelling vaginal discharge and vaginal discomfort.
Why screening is important
Cervical cancer starts as a pre-cancerous condition which can be detected by a Pap smear.
“Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and is highly treatable when caught in the early stages, if treatment starts as soon as possible,” says Lorraine Govender, CANSA’s National Manager: Health Promotion.
Regular Pap smears can help to detect abnormal cells in the cervix that have the potential to develop into cervical cancer. An HPV test can also be done to detect the presence of HPV, especially the HPV-16 and HPV-18 strains which cause most cervical cancers.
“It’s also very important that women should seek treatment when they receive abnormal results. The gap between screening and treatment is very high in South Africa. As much as 50% of women who present with pre-cancerous signs are referred for follow-up treatment, such as a colposcopy and biopsy,” says Govender.
Preventive care measures
Women are encouraged to screen for cervical cancer with a Pap smear or an HPV test regularly, to detect any abnormalities and identify pre-cancerous lesions at stages when they can be treated easily.
Two vaccines are also available in South Africa to protect women against the type of HPV that causes most cervical cancers. It is recommended that the HPV vaccine should be given before a person becomes sexually active. It can be administered as early as age 9 up until the age of 26.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an HPV infection, but other risk factors include age, smoking, being overweight and inactive, and having HIV or Aids.
Medihelp’s preventive care benefits
Medihelp’s benefits for women include a Pap smear every three years as well as two HPV vaccinations for girls and boys between 10 and 14 years or three vaccinations between the ages of 15 and 26 years.
Sources:
https://cansa.org.za/cervical-cancer/https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/what-is-cervical-cancer.html/a>
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer"
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cervical-cancer-cells