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Are you at risk for cervical cancer?
Are you at risk for cervical cancer? Studies show that one in four college students have human papillomavirus, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and claims approximately 4,400 women annually. "Cervical cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide," even though the death rate associated with it has declined. January is cervical cancer awareness month and the WC Wellness and Health Promotions Committee spreads the word on this type of cancer. Sarah Clark, a WC student, says they "just want the information out there so people can know more about it." It occurs in the area of the cervix where the squamous and columnar cells meet, which is called the transformation zone (T-zone). The T-zone is "more exposed in the teen years and twenties" and is a susceptible area to the development abnormal and cancerous cells. Other than age, correlation includes the following: having many sexual partners, smoking cigarettes, and having a diet lacking in vitamins A and C. Without early detection this cancer can progress into different stages and spread to other organs. Human papillomavirus (HPV) consists of over 80 types of viruses, many of which are sexually transmitted. Also, 15 of these viruses have been connected to cervical cancer while others are connected with cancers in the penis, head and neck in men. These viruses are particularly dangerous because they progress unnoticed and one source said, "Condoms do not fully prevent transmission of HPV." Additional comments include, "In the case of HPV, no barrier method is a safeguard against infection." There are no reliable sources of information on who is infected with HPV, and consequently you usually would have no warning signs before you are sexually active with an infected person. Although it typically advances undetected, there are occasional symptoms associated with HPV and cervical cancer. Unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse are warning signs. These symptoms are said to occur in later stages of the cancer, but do not occur in all patients. This is perhaps the biggest reason to have regular tests run for early detection. As a matter of fact, this cancer slowly advances so finding it early on is likely the best weapon against it. According to one source, "Though the overall five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 69 percent, if the cancer is caught early it is nearly 100 percent." Pap smears can detect abnormal (precancerous) cells before they develop into malignant cancer cells in the narrow end of the uterus. A Pap smear involves a piece of cotton or swab used to collect cervical cells. The cells are later studied with a colposcope, which is a device used to examine these types of cells for abnormalities. The most widely used treatments for cervical cancer are surgery and radiation. However, if it has progressed to other areas a hysterectomy or chemotherapy might be needed. It cannot be stressed enough that regular visits to a doctor or gynecologist are arguably the best chances for stopping the advancement of this cancer in an individual. Although there is no cure for cervical cancer, pap smears and other tests have proven to be excellent weapons against various cancers. Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of such examinations, but they can save your life… Ask your doctor or gynecologist about precautionary examinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National STD and AIDS Hotlines can be reached toll-free at 1-800-227-8922 or 1-800-342-2437. For more information from the sources of this article, check out http://www.healthywomen.org and http://www.metrokc.gov/health/. |
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