Page 10 - CCC Winter Newsletter.indd

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. We know that early screening leads to an earlier stage of diagnosis of cervical cancer. Early screening saves lives!
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix, is cancer of the entrance to the uterus (womb). The cervix is the narrow part of the lower uterus, often referred to as the neck of the womb, and can affect women of all ages. However, it is most common in women between 30 - 40 years of age.
What causes cervical cancer?
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by a common sexually transmitted infection called human papilloma virus (HPV). Most women have HPV at some time and usually the body’s immune system gets rid of the virus. Most women never know they have it.
If the infection does not clear up there is a risk of abnormal cells developing which could become cervical cancer over time. According to the American Cancer Society, “about 80% of men and women who have had sex will be exposed to HPV at some point”.
Other risk factors to consider are:
• Smoking–Smokingincreasestheriskofdevelopingmanycancers,includingcervicalcancer.
• WeakenedImmuneSystem–Womenwithaweakenedimmunesystemorpatientstakingan immunosuppressive medication have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.