Cervical Cancer Awareness
So firstly, your cervix is covered with two types of cells. Glandular cells cover the area nearest your womb which is called the endocervix. Squamous cells cover the area nearer the vagina known as the exocervix.
Where these two types of cells meet the area is called the transformation zone and it is in this spot that most cervical cancers begin. Unfortunately this has the fourth highest mortality rate according to the National Cancer Institute. As it is also the fourth most common cancer in women it is wise to look out for warning signs which include:
- An unusual vaginal discharge
- Longer or heavier periods than usual
- Bleeding after sex or post menopause
- Pain during intercourse
- Lower back pain
- More frequent/painful urination
If you are experiencing any of these you should consult with your doctor as soon as possible
Risk Factors
There are several things that can raise your risk of getting cervical cancer. These include
- Multiple pregnancies
- Smoking
- Long term use of The Pill
- Having a lowered immune system due to medical treatments or disease
However it’s fair to say that survival rates have significantly improved over the last 40 years. This is mainly down to two things – regular screening and the HPV vaccine.
Cervical Cancer
Popularly described as “the smear test”, cervical screening was introduced in the 1980’s and is said to have led to a 7% decrease in cases year on year. Every women registered with a GP is automatically invited for cervical smearing as follows
- aged 25 to 49 – every three years
- aged 50 to 64 – every five years
- if you are aged over 65 you will only be screened if you haven’t had a smear test since you were 50 or if you’ve recently had an abnormal test
The HPV Vaccine
It had long been suspected that cervical cancer was somehow a sexually transmitted disease which led to other risk factors including having several sexual partners.
In the 1990’s studies validated this theory with the human papillomavirus (HPV) being identified as the biggest risk. HPV is actually an umbrella group of over 100 related viruses which can affect different areas of the body including the mouth and throat, anus, lining of the genitals and the skin. This obviously makes it easy to be spread via sexual partners.
Fortunately vaccines have been developed which help prevent the two types of HPV that causes 70% of cervical cancers in the UK - these include Gardasil 9. With your consent, this is now given to girls in school as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.
If you have not been part of this and would like to take advantage of the protection a vaccination can offer please get in touch. The vaccine is given in the upper arm and in three doses:
- The first on your chosen date
- The second 2 months after the first dose
- The third 6 months after the first dose but not earlier than 3 months after the second dose
For more information and support regarding cervical cancer I would like to point you in the direction of the UK women’s charity www.jostrust.org.uk
I hope you have found this helpful.
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