As January is ‘The Cervical Health Awareness’ month, we will be discussing about how women should take care of their cervix to prevent cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.

So, what is cervical health and why is it important for women to be educated about it? Cervical health is related to the cervix which connects the uterus to the vagina. Infection in the cervix can lead to cervical cancer in the future. The cancer is caused by a virus named Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is spread through sexual contact. HPV is attributed to 70% of all cervical cancers and can be linked to a growing number of other types of cancer. Sometimes the virus can leave the body without any affect but some cells are harmful which can lead to cancer.

There are a few precautions for women to help to reduce the risk of having cervical cancer and staying healthy and informed to prevent the cancer:

Screening & Annual Visit

Before you come to any conclusion, it is better to get yourself screened for the symptoms of cervical cancer. The screening and testing will be able to find any abnormal signs of HPV before they develop into cancer. The cancer is tested by Pap test and HPV tests. Pap test collects cells from the cervix to detect the cancer while HPV detects the DNA/RNA of high-risk HPV. If you are HIV positive, a chain smoker or have taken birth control pills for a longer period, it is likely that you have cervical cancer. Women should regularly schedule their annual visits with their gynecologists before the unusual symptoms turn into serious health complications and become cancerous. According to WHO, “90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment (90%of women with pre-cancer treated; 90% of women with invasive cancer managed).

HPV Vaccination

The HPV vaccine helps to protect the sub-strains of the human papillomavirus which develop the cancer. Women who are infected with the sub-strains cause cervical dysplasia. So if it is left untreated, it can lead to cervical cancer.

Doctors recommend to get HPV vaccination between the age of 11 and 12. According to, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both boys and girls get a vaccine which protects against the riskiest strains of HPV”.  HPV is given to both men and women prior to age 26, but is approved for up to age 45.

Being Proactive

Women should preemptively go for regular and routine check-ups with their gynecologists to protect against cervical cancer. Being cognizant about your body is very important for staying healthy.  Usually, the cancer takes years to grow and develop. Going for simple screening proactively will allow the doctor to detect abnormal changes in the body before they become hazardous.

Use Protection during Sexual Activity

As cervical cancer is spread through sexual contact, it is better to limit the sexual partners and use protection. The use of condom can provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases but they are not 100% effective. It is better to have safe sex rather than risking your life.

Discuss Early Symptoms

As you start to notice any changes in your body, you should immediately contact your doctor to discuss the symptoms. Early diagnosis will increase the chances for successful treatment and survival.

The most common signs could be vaginal bleeding, longer or heavier menstrual bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, pain during intercourse, increased vaginal discharge, severe back pain etc.

Avoid Cigarette

Smoking cigarette is hazardous to health and can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer by making it more vulnerable to HPV infection. The best way to reduce the risk is to stop smoking cigarette and to avoid the cigarette smoke by other smokers to get rid of the HPV infection from the body.

Conclusion

By taking the above given precautions, women can reduce the risk of getting and developing cervical cancer. Also, keeping a healthy diet, doing exercise and not using birth control for an extended period can also make you less prone to the virus. Women should proactively go for routine screening, testing and vaccination for early detection and cancer prevention. WorldHealth Organization has developed guidance to prevent and control the cancerthrough vaccination and screening. Following these guidelines while spreading the word and raising awareness is another way to control the spread of cervical cancer.