Cervical Cancer and HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Have you ever heard about Cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among Malaysian women. In fact
50% of people who are sexually active (had sexual intercourse inthe past three months) will get genital HPV.
What are Cervical Cancer and Precancerous lesions?Cervical cancer is abnormal cell growth in the cervix (cervix is the part of the uterus that connects the upper part of the uterus (the womb) and the vagina.
It is serious condition that can be life threatening.
It begins when a woman becomes infected with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
If the immune system doesnot clear the infection, normal cells can begin to grow abnormally and turn into precancerous lesions.
If not discovered early and treated, this abnormal cell growth can become cancer. Most often this can take a number of years, altough in rare cases it can happen within a year.
Who gets cervical cancer and precancers?Women who have been infected with certain types of HPV and have not been able to clear the virus can get cervical cancer and precancers.
About hald of all females diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years old.
Many of these women were most likely exposed to cancer-causing HPV types during their teens and 20s.
Most of the women who get cervical cancer may have never had a Pap TestWhat is HPV?HPV is a common virus that affects both female and male.
There are more than 100 types of the virus, and about 30 types of HPV are known as genital HPV since they affect the genital area.
Some types can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could turn into cancer, and other types of HPV can cause genital warts (fles-colored growths that are most often caused by certain types of HPV) and begin (noncancerous) changes in the cervix.
Not only that HPV also been linked to other rare diseases including vaginal and vulvar cancers, asn well as RRP (Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis), a disease that makes breathing difficult.
People who have HPV may not show any sign or symptoms. They can transmit the virus without even knowing it.
Anyone who has sexual activity involving genital contact could get genital HPV, even there is no sexual intercourse.
How do I know if I have HPV?Because HPV usually has no sign or symptoms, most of people who have been infected don't know about it.
Most of HPV infections are first discovered as a result of abnormal Pap test (Pap Test is a part of a gynecological exam and helps detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the cance to become precancers or cervical cancer).
What sould we do to help prevent cervical cancer and/or HPV infection?Do Regular Pap Test
Abstinence from all sexual actvity
Maintain monogamous relationship with someone who has had no other or fw sex partners.
Limit the number of partners you have and choose your partners carefully.
The fewer partners you partner has had, the less likely he or she is to have HPV.
Condoms may help reduce but is not fully protective against infectionVaccination with PV vaccine.
Currently, vaccination is avalaible to prevent HPV infection and may reduce the risk of cervical cancer and HPV related diseases caused by certain types of HPV.
Ideally, females should get the vaccine before they are sexually active.
This is because the vaccine is most effective in women/girls who have not yet aquired any of the HPV types covered by vaccine.
If you want to know more information,
click
herePearl's clinic of careA-0-5, Plaza Damas, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,50480 Sri Hartamas, Tel/Fax:03-6203-2837
