Power Over Cervical Cancer - Awareness
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How much do you know about cervical cancer? Answer the following questions to determine your knowledge about the disease and your risk to it.
http://www.pocc.sg/assessYourRisk/default.asp- Cervical cancer refers to cancer originating from the cervix, which is the lower part of the womb (uterus) and is often called the neck of the womb.
- Cervical cancer is the 6th most common cancer among women in Singapore and it is the 3rd most common gynaecological cancer. About 200 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year.1
- Before cervical cancer develops, precancerous changes occur in the cervix. These precancerous changes, which usually do not have any symptoms, can be detected by the Pap smear. Precancerous disease of the cervix is easily and effectively treated, thus preventing cervical cancer.
- The disease is caused by a common virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). However, it is important to note that not every HPV infection is destined to become cervical cancer.2
- Early cervical cancer may not have any symptoms. The most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding, such as between periods or after intercourse. Often there is also a smelly vaginal discharge, and in women who have had their menopause, there may be some new bleeding.
- Women who have had their first sexual intercourse at an early stage or who have had many sexual partners, or have partners who have had many sexual partners, have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer.2
- Smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer.3
- Precancerous disease of the cervix and early cervical cancer can be detected by having regular Pap smears. In Singapore, this should be performed every 1-3 years in sexually active women aged 25 onwards.4
- Incidence of cervical cancer has declined significantly due to increased Pap screening.2
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting regular Pap smears every three years for early detection and with appropriate treatment the risk of developing cervical cancer can be greatly reduced.5
- It is now possible to prevent infection against cervical cancer through vaccination. When you are vaccinated, your body creates specific defenses against the virus so that you can be protected, should you come into contact with the virus.6
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why post here?
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Women who have had their first sexual intercourse at an early stage or who have had many sexual partners, or have partners who have had many sexual partners, have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer.
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good info
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New coalition aims to get women to take risk test on cervical cancer
By Geraldine Soh, 938LIVE | Posted: 13 July 2009 1929 hrshttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/442110/1/.html
SINGAPORE: A new coalition consisting of celebrities and corporations hopes to get 18,000 women to take an online risk test to raise awareness about cervical cancer.
Currently, one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer every other day, according to the Health Promotion Board.
But only 60 per cent of sexually-active women have gone for a PAP smear in the last three years.
That is lower than the 80 per cent experts say is necessary to reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths here.
In a PAP smear, cells of the cervix are collected to test for the presence of the cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus.
If performed regularly together with vaccination, research shows the risk of cervical cancer can be reduced by two-thirds.
Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer here. Doctors say among the top 10 cancers, only cervical cancer can be prevented. - 938LIVE/vm