7 Important Facts About Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among Malaysian women, according to an expert. 

In a 2016 interview, Head of Cancer and Health Screening Clinics of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), Dr Dalilah Kamaruddin said previously, cervical cancer was named the second most common cancer in Malaysia, but this had changed over the years due to the increased awareness among women. 

Here are 7 important facts about cervical cancer:

1. Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the womb from the vagina). 

2. It mainly affects sexually active women aged between 30 and 45.

3. The symptoms of cervical cancer are not always obvious, and it may not cause any at all until it's reached an advanced stage.  This is why it's very important to you attend all your cervical screening appointments.

4. In most cases, abnormal vaginal bleeding is the first noticeable symptom of cervical cancer which includes during or after sex, between your periods, after you have been through the menopause.

5.If the cancer spreads out of your cervix and into surrounding tissue and organs, it can trigger a range of other symptoms, including pain in your lower back or pelvis, severe pain in your side or back caused by your kidneys, constipation, peeing or pooing more often than normal, losing control of your bladder (urinary incontinence) or losing control of your bowels (bowel incontinence), blood in your pee, swelling of one or both legs and severe vaginal bleeding.

6. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).  HPV is a group of viruses, rather than a single virus. There are more than 100 different types.  HPV is spread during sexual intercourse and other types of sexual activity – such as skin-to-skin contact of the genital areas or using sex toys – and is very common. Most women will get some type of HPV infection at some point in their lives.

7. Regular cervical screening is the best way to identify abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix at an early stage.  Women aged 25 to 49 are invited for screening every 3 years. Women aged 50 to 64 are invited every 5 years. For women who are 65 or over, only those who have not been screened since they were 50, have had recent abnormal tests or have never been screened before are still eligible for screening.

Source: www.nhs.uk