As medicine goes forward, new ways to prevent and cure diseases are constantly found. However, cancer still remains a disease that has no cure.
In this article, we are going to talk about the cervical cancer, which until the PAP test was discovered in the 40’s of the previous century, was the main cause of death among female population.
The PAP test is a world-famous simple test, that collects cells from the cervix, which are further analyzed in laboratories. This test has shown astonishing accuracy and has helped more than 60% of women who had cervical cancer all over the world!
So, cervical cancer can be prevented, found and cured with regular check-ups and doing a PAP test every year. “Because it usually takes several years for normal cells in the cervix to turn into cancer cells, it’s imperative to get regular screenings, either with a Pap test or HPV test (or both)”.
The HPV virus, which spreads mostly through s*xual intercourse, is one of the main reasons for cervical cancer. Statistics show that it more common to happen to midlife women instead of young adolescent girls.
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But women have antibodies in their organisms who can fight the HPV virus before it transforms the cells into cancerogenic cells. However, the risk for getting it is higher if you:
- Smoke
- Have given birth to many children
- Use birth control regularly
- Have the HIV virus
Even though medicine is very accurate in finding this type of cancer, there is still a risk. “The American Cancer Society estimated that about 12,900 women in the United States would be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in 2015 and about 4,100 would die from it”.
Here are the most commonly noted signs of cervical cancer, according to patients who already have it:
- Bleeding after s*x
- Bleeding after menopause
- Bleeding between periods (this doesn’t involve women with irregular menstrual periods)
- Bleeding after douching
- Bleeding after a pelvic exam
- Having heavier menstrual periods than usual
- Having longer lasting menstrual periods than usual
- Unusual and often va*inal discharge
- Painful s*xual intercourse
- Pelvic pain
What’s to be done to prevent getting cervical cancer?
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First of all, there’s a set of vaccines for the HPV virus, which can protect you from other diseases besides cervical cancer. Getting this vaccine is most suitable before the individual has became s*xually active.
Then, even if you’ve taken the vaccine, cautious regular doctor check-ups are recommended.
An annual PAP test is absolutely necessary.
At the end, you’re the one that knows your body the most, so you should choose what’s appropriate for your age, personal medical history and risk factors and decide to go with that tests, cautions and therapy.
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