Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS COMMEMORATED ANNUALLY IN SEPTEM- BER TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO DO SCREENING AND PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER.

Cervical cancer is the 2nd removed, in many cases it is most common canprior to cancer cells actually cer among South African developing. Early diagnosis women. Women have a 1 in and treatment of pre-can35 lifetime risk of cervical cerous lesions prevents up cancer. It can be successto 80% of cervical cancers, fully treated if detected in the in high resource countries, early stages, so it is imporwhere cervical cancer tant that women are aware screening is routine. of symptoms and what is Who should have a Pap normal for their bodies. smear? • all women who

Symptoms include: have been sexually active, abnormal bleeding between tives increases risk. Women should start having Pap periods, heavier and longer with HIV infection also have smears between ages 18 menstrual period, vaginal a higher risk of developing to 20 years • every eligible discharge, vaginal bleeding cervical cancer. Furtherwoman should preferably or pain during intercourse/ more, being overweight, have a Pap smear at least after menopause, increased inactive, consuming alcohol, every 3 years urinary frequency. poor dietary habits, smokNote: • It is better to have

Risk factors: Cervical ing and exposure to chemia Pap smear at a less opticancer is mainly caused cals increases risk. mal time, than not at all by the Human Papilloma Reduce Risk Through Pap • Routine cervical screenVirus (HPV), a common smears Having regular Pap ing is not required for virus spread through skin smears can detect abnormal women under the age of 18 to skin contact, body fluids cells in the cervix (lower part years, even if they are sexuand sexual intercourse. or mouth of the womb), that ally active • If a woman is Failure to use protection could develop into cervical 70 years old and, within the during sexual intercourse, cancer. Screening involves last 5 years, had two normal sexually transmitted infectaking a swab of the cervical Pap Smears, she need not tions (STIs), multiple sexual cells. It is uncomfortable, continue with Pap smears partners, early sexual debut, but painless. When abnorVisit www.cansa.org.za for more and use of oral contracepmal cells are identified and information.