The cervix is the opening to the womb. It’s the part of the uterus that extends into the vagina, and one of the top female body parts most vulnerable to cancer.
In the Philippines, there are about 5,000 new cases of cervical cancer each year. However, more alarming than that is the fact that there are between 10,000 to 25,000 women who are unaware that they have undiagnosed pre-invasive lesions in their cervix.
For the month of May, the C-Network, an information advocacy campaign against cancer, joins all Filipinas in celebrating their physical and emotional health and well-being. A program spearheaded by the Department of Health, the Philippine Cancer Society, the Philippine Society of Oncologists, and Roche Philippines, the C-Network emphasizes on the preventive aspect towards cervical cancer.
According to Sylvia Palma, the Philippine Cancer Society’s director for development, "Cervical cancer is one of the lifestyle-affected diseases prevalent among Filipinas. In line with the Philippine Cancer Society’s National Cancer Consciousness Campaign theme of adopting healthier lifestyles, Filipinas have to learn how to take care of themselves because they are the bearers of the country’s youth."
The exact cause of cervical cancer is still unknown, however, several aspects are found contributory to its growth.
The presence of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is seen as a trigger for the cancer to develop. Other factors are smoking which weakens the immune system and poor hygiene, which is a consequence of poverty.
Smoking has been shown to dramatically increase the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer, not to mention cancer of the lungs, breasts, urinary bladder, etc. Women who have used contraceptive pills are at greater risk.
Symptoms of cervical cancer do not normally appear until the abnormal cell growth extends to other tissues.
When this happens, abnormal bleeding takes place. The bleeding may occur after intercourse, douching or after a pelvic examination. When unusual bleeding occurs, this may indicate cervical cancer.
Another telltale sign is increased vaginal discharge. However, women should not wait for these symptoms to occur. It is best to have a cervix wellness check-up every year, once an individual starts to be sexually active to prevent the occurrence of this disease.
There is a way to screen the presence of abnormal cells that can cause cervical cancer. The Philippine Cancer Society recommends that Filipinas of all ages should consult with their gynecologist for a regular pap smear. This exam allows the doctor to see any abnormal changes in the cervix. There’s no definite age when pap’s smear tests should end.
However, gynecologists recommend discontinuing regular pap testing after age 65, provided that previous screens have been consistently normal.
Another method by which cervical cancer may be detected is through the acetic wash-aided visual inspection of the cervix. In this procedure, a cotton swab with four percent acetic acid is applied on the cervix.
If a cervix area turns white, this is an indicator for health practitioners to suspect for the presence of cancer, and refer the patient immediately for further evaluation (colposcopy-guided cervix biopsy or a definitive Pap smear).
Doctors recommend regular Pap smear or aided visual inspection of the cervix once every one to three years for all women (particularly women in their 40’s and 50’s, who have had sexual intercourse in their lifetime).
Cervical cancer is one of the many cancers that can successfully be prevented and cured. All it takes is motivation and habit to keep women going to their gynecologists for regular check-ups.
To know more about current C-Network efforts, visit the C-Network website at www.cnetwork.org.ph.
