It’s Cervical Health Awareness Month, 2023, and it’s time to prioritise our reproductive health!
The need for women to be aware and educated on the causes, symptoms and effects of cervical cancer can not be over-emphasized. Although it is the fourth most prevalent type of cancer in women worldwide, it is also one of the most preventive since it grows gradually. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), present in nearly 99% of cervical cancer cases, is the most frequent cause of cervical cancer.
Most women can significantly lower their risk of acquiring cervical health issues like cervical dysplasia or the more dangerous cervical cancer by taking a few easy steps.
Get Tested
Many females are unaware of how crucial routine Pap smear tests can be in preventing cervical cancer. Most Pap smears today screen not only for cytology but also for HPV and even the HPV subtype. Most of the time, cervical cancer takes years to develop; routine Pap smear tests can identify these alterations years before they progress to cancer. The frequency of how often you should get a Pap smear varies from woman to woman, so if you are unsure or have never had one, check with your doctor.
Be Proactive
Occasionally Pap smear results can be abnormal, but many women choose not to follow up on the results or continue with therapy. This action may result from various factors, such as ignorance or a misinterpretation of the treatment plan. Women must take the initiative to avoid cervical cancer, which includes paying attention and, if necessary, following through with recommended treatments.
Practice Safe Sex
Cervical cancer can be prevented by using condoms. Condoms can prevent HPV infection by roughly 70%, according to the American Cancer Society.
Get vaccinated
Specific HPV strain infections can be avoided with the aid of HPV vaccinations. There are more than 100 distinct HPV strains, most of which are low-risk and do not result in cervical cancer. However, two high-risk strains of the virus, HPV-16 and HPV-18, are responsible for more than 70% of instances of cervical cancer.
Following these easy precautions, you can significantly lower your risk of having and developing cervical cancer. For more details on the tips listed here, be sure to consult your doctor or send us a mail on [email protected]
