This Cervical Cancer awareness month of January, WHO are encouraging women to get informed, get screened, and get vaccinated. Cervical cancer can be prevented and treated, if caught early.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of cervical cancer may not be evident immediately, which is why, screening is the best way to prevent it. However, the first signs that usually show up are related to bleeding, mainly bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause or bleeding during or after sex. Thus, it is important that you visit your GP immediately if you experience any bleeding of this sort.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer can be most effectively controlled through screening. Early discovery of cytological abnormalities through regular pap smear tests and early treatment helps avoid the development of cervical cancer. In fact, such testing is said to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by up to 80%.
In Malta, cervical screening is offered free to women aged between 25 and 49 every 3 years and every 5 years until the age of 64. However, since almost all cervical cancers are caused by an HPV, which is a very common virus that can be passed on through any type of sexual contact with a man or a woman, women are encouraged to start going for routine pap smears once they become sexually active.
For more information about the cervical screening programme you may contact NSP by email on [email protected], by phone on 21227470/1, or on their Facebook page Malta National Health Screening Programmes.
HPV Vaccination
An HPV vaccine is also being offered for free to girls aged 12 years, with two doses being given 6 months apart. This vaccine, which is called Gardasil, protects against 4 types of HPV, including the 2 strains responsible for the majority of cervical cancers, as well as preventing genital warts. Whilst this vaccine reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer, sexually active females are still encouraged to attend regular pap smear testing.
Smoking Cessation
Smoking unfortunately makes it harder to heal from HPVs which eventually may develop into cervical cancer. Thus, if you do not smoke or you stop smoking altogether, you reduce the chance of developing cervical cancer.
Safe Sex
HPV is spread through unprotected sex. Using condoms is the best way to prevent getting infected by HPV. However, it is important to know that the virus can be spread through any type of sexual contact, not just penetrative sex, and the risk increases further if you have multiple partners.
Be Aware, Always…
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month serves as a good reminder for us to be aware on our risk factors and preventative measures that we can easily apply to reduce the risk. However, health awareness should be an ongoing process. With small changes in our daily lifestyle we can contribute to less risks and a better healthier future, for us and for our loved ones.
You can read more about other common female cancers in an extensive detailed article here.
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
