What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix. The cervical cancer starts when cells lining the cervix begin to grow out of control.

Almost all (99%) cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with high risk human papillomavirus (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. Most sexually active women and men will be infected at some point in their lives and some may be repeatedly infected. HPV is sexually transmitted, but penetrative sex is not required for transmission. Skin-to-skin genital contact is a well-recognized mode of transmission.

HPV infections usually clear up without any intervention within a few months after acquisition, and about 90% clear within 2 years. A small proportion of infections with certain types of HPV can persist and progress to cervical cancer.

Status of cervical cancer in Kenya

Cervical cancer is a major public health concern in Kenya. It is the second most common cancer in women but the leading cause of cancer deaths. Yet, it is a totally preventable, through vaccination against the HPV that causes it; and through screening women for and treating pre-cancer lesions that lead to cancer.

How can one know if they have cervical cancer?

It is not always for possible for a woman to know if they have cervical cancer initially since there are no obvious signs or symptoms experienced.

Nevertheless, as the disease progresses, a woman with cervical cancer presents with one or several of the following signs and symptoms;

• Vaginal discharge (sometimes foul smelling)
• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Post-menopausal bleeding
• Bleeding after sex, between periods or after a pelvic exam
• Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge (more than usual)
• Urinary frequency & urgency
• Back ache
• Lower abdominal pain
• Pain during sex or urination
• Weight loss
• Inability to pass urine due to obstruction of the ureters
• Inability to control flow of urine or fecal matter
• Swelling of the lower limbs

Investigations by a doctor will confirm if one presenting with the above signs has cancer of the cervix. Promptly seek medical assistance if those signs are there.

Prevention

There is no definite prevention approach to cervical cancer. This is because some risk factors are not within an individual ability to control/modify e.g. age. Some ways of lowering the chances that one gets cervical cancer are;

1. HPV vaccine

In Kenya all girls age 10-14 years should be vaccinated against the HPV infection routinely. The vaccine is available in all the public facilities in Kenya

2. Cervical cancer Screening

The common screening tests available in Kenya are Pap test (or Pap Smear). Consult with your doctor. Get screened. Prompt treatment for the precancerous lesions saves lives

3. Behavior modification to control the other predisposing factors e.g. smoking, STIs

Treatment

When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care.

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#healthyliving

#healthylifestyle

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#cervicalcancerawareness

#cancerawareness

https://www.emro.who.int/noncommunicable-diseases/campaigns/cervical-cancer-awareness-month-2023.

https://lvcthealth.org/

https://www.ncikenya.or.ke/