Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: What every woman should know

Lois Ugbede
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: What every woman should know
Image representation of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine. Photo Source: Gemini.

Every January, health institutions and activists create awareness around cervical cancer with a focus on eliminating it. If you are a woman, have been sexually active, and are between the ages of 25 and 69, then you should also be part of this conversation. 

This year, the global focus remains centred on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) mission: “Together we can eliminate cervical cancer.” 

One common phrase you will find around cervical cancer conversations is the 2030 global goal of “90-70-90”. This means to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, every country is working toward achieving 90% Vaccination (90% of girls are fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15), 70% Screening (70% of women are screened with a high-performance test by age 35, and again by age 45) and 90% Treatment (90% of women with pre-cancer treated, and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed).

What is Cervical Cancer? 

Cervical cancer is a growth of cells that develops in a woman’s cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb, which opens into the vagina).  According to the WHO, it is the fourth most common cancer in women. Cancer Aware Nigeria reveals it is the 2nd most common cancer among women in Nigeria.⠀

An Obstetrics and Gynaecology surgeon, Sunday Idoko, defined Cervical cancer as a growth of abnormal cells in the cervix that persists and causes cell changes(metaplastic). 

What Causes Cervical Cancer? 

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all of the main types of cervical cancer. The HPV is a common virus that is spread through skin-to-skin or sexual contact. WHO notes that HPV causes 99% of cervical cancer cases.

The immune system clears most HPV infections, and they cause no symptoms. However, in some cases, infection can persist and cause cell changes that lead to cancer over time. 

There are many different types of HPV. While most are harmless, some cause genital warts and changes that can develop into cancer (including cervical cancer). HPV can cause anal, vaginal, vulval, penile, and some types of mouth and throat cancers. 

Typically, it takes 15 to 20 years for an infected cervix to develop cancer, but sometimes the process can be faster and take five to 10 years.

Sunday agreed with this, noting that, depending on the virus strain, it can take 5 to 10 years.

“It takes five to 10 years, depending on the strain of the virus that causes the infection.”

What are the Symptoms of cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer in the earliest stages usually has no symptoms. This is why screening is vital even if you have gotten the HPV vaccine. 

But it is essential to see a doctor if you experience any of the following:

What are the risk factors of cervical cancer? 

Anything that can increase your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor.

For cervical cancer, the risk factors are: 

Age

According to Cancer Research UK, cervical cancer is more common in younger females. They revealed that most cervical cancer cases diagnosed in the UK each year are in females aged 30 to 34.

HPV Infection 

Because the HPV has been found to cause almost all of the main types of cervical cancer, having an infection is a risk factor.

HPV is common, and most sexually active people come in contact with it during their lifetime. But for most, the virus causes no harm and goes away on its own.

Sexual Activity 

Anyone sexually active is at risk of HPV infection. These sexual activities include: oral sex, touching in the genital area, vaginal sex, anal sex, and sharing sex toys. 

Cancer Research UK revealed that an individual can reduce the risk of getting an HPV infection by using barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams.  However, they said this doesn’t provide complete protection.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Having the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or AIDS increases your risk of developing cervical cancer. This risk might be reduced in women who are receiving treatment for HIV.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

The risk of cervical cancer increases in women who have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) alongside HPV. Women with both HPV and chlamydia might have a higher risk of cervical cancer. 

Smoking Tobacco

Tobacco smoking increases a woman’s risk of getting cervical cancer. The risk increases with the more cigarettes you smoke a day.

Contraceptive pill

The contraceptive pill is associated with a slightly higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Taking the medication for more than 5 years increases the risk of cervical cancer. The increased risk begins to drop as soon as you stop taking it. After 10 years, the risk is the same as for people who had never taken it.

The pill can also slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. But it is essential to know that taking the medication can help reduce the risk of womb and ovarian cancers.

Family history

You have an increased risk of a type of cervical cancer called ​​squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) if your mother, sister, or daughter has had cervical cancer. It is, however, not known if this is linked to faulty genes or due to shared environmental factors, including human papillomavirus (HPV).

From Pap tests to HPV testing

For decades, the Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, has been the main way to screen for cervical cancer. The Pap test examines cervical cells under a microscope for changes. Cleveland Clinic notes that while this is effective, it can sometimes miss early signs.

HPV testing, on the other hand, examines cells to find the virus that causes most cervical cancer cases. This, the Canadian Cancer Society says, makes HPV testing better at identifying people at risk for cervical cancer, resulting in earlier detection, treatment, and the reduction of future cancer risk. 

HPV testing also means screening can be less often, usually every three to five years, while still offering strong protection when compared to a Pap test.

Sunday, noted that both tests are available in Nigeria, but they usually prefer HPV co-testing (combining a pap smear and HPV DNA testing). 

“Both are available in Nigeria. A Pap smear looks for abnormal changes in the cervix, while HPV testing looks for HPV in the cervix. So a Pap smear is an indirect method of looking for HPV.”

He explained that when a pap smear is performed and is negative, a patient must undergo another test after 3 years. However, if co-testing is performed and the result is negative, the patient must return after 5 years. 

“So we do both Pap smear and HPV DNA testing. If done and negative, the next recall is five years. But if only a Pap smear is done, the next recall is 3 years.”

It is important to note that how often a woman needs to be screened depends on the type of test used, her age, health history, and provincial or territorial health guidelines.

Regular pap smear screening and HPV tests can detect precancerous cells before they turn into cancer.

What is the way forward? 

The WHO notes that cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. It also stated that effective primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary prevention approaches (screening for, and treating precancerous lesions) prevent most cervical cancer cases.

Okorom Amarachi, a pediatric nurse at the Immunisation unit in Nyanya General Hospital, Abuja, also encourages vaccination. She noted that HPV vaccination is effective in preventing infection. 

“Prevention is through HPV vaccination, highly effective and recommended for children to prevent the infection.”

Conclusion 

Cervical screening and HPV vaccination are the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. Women aged 25-64 should go for regular cervical screening as this helps with early detection and treatment of any changes in the cells of the cervix before they become cancer.

Related Articles
↑
Exit mobile version