CAUSES, SYMPTOMS & EARLY DETECTION
The 1st most common cancer among Cambodian women is also one of the most preventable.
Read on and share to raise awareness on this.
ARTICLE
5 min read
Cervical cancer awareness
5 min read
Cervical cancer by numbers
2nd most common cancer among Malaysian women. |
4th highest cancer-related deaths among women aged 15-44 years old. |
70% reduction in risk of cervical cancer with early detection, screening and vaccination. |
Largely preventable cancer through 3 steps: HPV vaccination, screening (PAP smear) and early detection. |
Slow growing cancer: takes about 10 years for abnormal cells to develop into cancer. |
Causes of cervical cancer
The major cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus.
Only 15 out of 100 strains of the HPV cause cancer, with two strains contributing to 70% of all cervical cancer occurrences.
Other risk factors of cervical cancer are smoking, taking birth control pills and having multiple sex partners. |
Having HPV does not mean you have cervical cancer.
HPV is transmitted through sexual intercourse or genital skin-to-skin contact, which is why a condom itself is not an effective preventive measure. |
Symptoms to look out for
Visit a gynecologist if you have either one of these symptoms:
Unusual bleeding |
Heavier periods |
Increased vaginal discharge |
Bleeding after intercourse, |
Pain during intercourse |
Bleeding after menopause |
Be proactive:
Prevention & early detection is better than cure
Although the HPV vaccination protects against strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer, it does not protect against all strains. Hence, screenings and check-ups are still necessary.
Get Vaccinated:
The HPV vaccine is administered in 3 doses within 6 months and the recommended age for administration is between 13-26 years old.
Choose Healthy:
Go for regular health checks to ensure you are in the pink of health. Practice living a healthy lifestyle consisting of regular exercise, balanced eating and regular health checks.
AIA Samrab Chivit will also continue offering coverage against many other critical and non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, stroke, liver, lung and heart diseases.
Get Screened:
A pap smear is a screening procedure to test for precancerous or cancerous cells. The frequency of screening differs according to each individual.
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The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.
http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/MYS.pdf
https://learnmyprotection.com/cervical-cancer-the-no-2-killer-among-malaysian-woman/
http://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2015/01/16/no-woman-should-die-from-cervical-cancer/
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/cervical-cancer/symptoms-and-signs
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/cervical-cancer/about/cervical-cancer-risks-and-causes
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/10/21/live-budget-2017/
