Understanding Cervical Cancer
The cervix na part of the female reproductive system. E dey the lower part of the womb (uterus), dey create passage between the womb and vagina.
Cervical cancer dey happen wen change dey the cells wen dey line the cervix, e go come lead to the development of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells fit penetrate the deeper tissues of the cervix and fit also spread (metastasize) to other organs .
WETIN DEY CAUSE CERVICAL CANCER?
The virus wen dey known as Human papilloma virus (HPV) don dey implicated for almost all cases of cervical cancer. This virus dey quite common and fit dey transmitted through sexual contact with man or woman. Person fit also get the virus from sharing sex toys.
Na many variants of HPV dey and not all of dem dey cause abnormal changes for the cells of the cervix. Two main HPV viruses (HPV 16 and HPV 18) don dey linked to over 70% of cervical cancers.
Infection with these strains dey usually mild without symptoms, so infection most times go dey undetected.
WHO DEY AT RISK?
Any woman with cervix dey at risk to get this cancer.
Women wen don undergo surgery to remove their uterus and cervix (total hysterectomy) nor fit get cervical cancer.
Other factors wen dey increase person risk to get cancer of the cervix na:
• Sex for young age
• History of sexually transmitted diseases
• Multiple sexual partners
• Male partners wen dey promiscuous.
• Weak immune system, e.g due to HIV/AIDS.
• Age < 45 years (more common in younger females)
• Family history of cervical cancer
• History of exposure to the hormone diethylstilbesterol(DES) while your mother was pregnant with you.
• History of other types of cancer, e.g bladder, vulval, etc.
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WETIN BE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
For early stages, cervical cancer fit nor show with symptoms cos this cancer dey grow and progress small small. But, some common complaints wen women with suspected cancer of the cervix get na:
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (bleeding during sex, in between periods, after menopause or periods wen dey heavier than normal.
• Vaginal discomfort
• Foul smelling vaginal discharge
• Pain during sex.
Symptoms due to spread to other areas:
• Painful urination with or without blood for urine.
• Getting tired easily
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Passage of loose stool, pain while defecating or blood in stool.
• Back pain
• Pain in lower tummy
• Swelling of the legs.
HOW E TAKE DEY DIAGNOSED?
An abnormal(papanicoloau test commonly known as )pap smear na the commonest way to find out.
Following Pap smear wen dey abnormal, another test wen dey known as colposcopy go dey carried out so dem go fit visualize the cervix well .
Dem go come take sample of the cells of the cervix during the procedure for further analysis. These tests na the typical screening tests for cervical cancer and dem dey often do am from when woman don clock 25.
Apart from say dem go examine am from head to toe, important examination wen dey known as bimanual examination go dey carried out. This one involve physically examination the cervix for any signs of infection.
HOW DEM DEY TAKE TREAT AM?
Cervical cancer nor be death sentence. E fit dey treated. But, treatment and response to treatment go depend on:
• The size and type of cancer
• Location of the cancer
• Spread of the cancer
• General health condition.
Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.
E dey important to note say treatment fit affect fertility and surgery fit require removal of the womb. So therefore , e dey important to discuss with your doctor if you neva complete your family size.
SUMMARY
Cervical cancer dey often treatable if dem quick catch am early. This na why regular pap smears, every 3 years dey recommended for women wen dey sexually active and dey above the age of 21. Dem don dey offer HPV vaccines to children wen dey between the age of 12-13 years as e dey offer some protection against genital warts and cancers wen dey caused by HPV.
You fit also lower your risk if you dey use condoms. But, condoms nor fully cover the skin around your genitals and HPV dey transmitted through skin to skin contact.
Maintain strong immunity start to dey eat healthy, exercise well and stop to dey smoke.
Na less cases of cervical cancer go dey if we increase screening. Lower your chances today, go make dem screen you .
