CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING – WHY YOU MUST GET SCREENED EARLY!

By Zaynab Solahudeen

It is quite common: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading type of cancer among women globally, with roughly 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths in 2020, where majority of the new cases and deaths in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries (GLOBOCAN). It is now considered to be a sexually transmitted infectious disease that is caused by a persistent infection of the lining of the cervix (a canal that connects the uterus and vagina), by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV types 16 and 18 are more common.

How you get it: It is commonly spread through sexual contact with an HPV infected person. A sexually active person is therefore more likely to get infected. Although a transient infection can resolve spontaneously, persistent infection that is not detected for appropriate treatment can predispose you to developing frank cervical cancer in later years. It takes 15-20 years for the cancer to develop after infection, but in HIV infected persons, the period is shorter, it takes about 5-6 years to manifest. HPV causes the normal cells of the cervix to transform into abnormal cells which eventually becomes cancer, and the cancer can spread to involve nearby organs such as the womb, pelvis, urinary tract, and other organs of the body.

 

To avoid getting cervical cancer: The only way is prevention. Cervical cancer can arise from any kind of unprotected sex from an infected person. Men can be carriers of HPV and pass it on to their sexual partners. Most sexually active adults may have HPV infection and will be totally unaware of this infection until a screening is carried out. The primary screening test recommended by the World Health Organization is the HPV DNA Test, which is available to only women. There’s currently no approved test for detecting HPV in men.

Screening: It is highly recommended for every woman of sexual and reproductive age, to get screened routinely every five years for cervical cancer, irrespective of their age.

Vaccination: Gardasil and Cervarix are the two approved HPV vaccines and can be used for both genders. It is given before both boys and girls are exposed to the virus between the ages of 11 and 12, or as early as 9 years of age. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that young adolescents (9-12 years of age) and teens receive two doses of the vaccine at least 6 months apart. However, teens and young adults between the ages of 15-26, should receive three doses of the vaccine.

Practice Safe Sex: Having multiple sexual partners and not using a condom puts you at a very high risk of contracting an HPV infection. It can also lead to having other sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea which can further depress your immune system making it harder to deal with an HPV infection and posing a faster rate to developing cervical cancer.

Smoking: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing any form of cancer, and cervical cancer is not an exception.