Protect yourself from cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Bangladesh. The disease is preventable and curable too. Awareness is crucial to save yourself.

Why does cervical cancer occur?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the chief reason for cervical cancer. In most cases, the virus is sexually transmitted. As many as 90 per cent men and women get affected by the virus once in their life, but the immune system successfully prevents this. The risk of cancer increases if the infection is persistent. The less the age, the more the risk. Woman aged between 15 and 25 are more prone to this.

How to prevent
*Preventing early sexual activity like child marriage
*Personal hygiene and safe sex should be taught at an early age
*Be faithul to your companion and use condoms during intercourse
*Do not smoke or use tobacco in any form
*Eat a lot of vegetables, fruits and do regular exercise along with controlling weight
*Have your cervix regularly screened
*Vaccination prevents cervix cancer too

Screening
Pap smear test is the screening test for cervix that includes collecting cervical discharge. Women of the age from 21 to 65 should do this test every three years. If there is any abnormality, further examinations must be conducted.

When vaccination required
One has to be vaccinated between the ages of 9 to 26 as after this period or after marriage it does not remain properly active. The regular screening must be continued despite being vaccinated as the inoculation prevent not the cancer but the virus only.

*Rehnuma Pervin is a specialist of medicine and cancer.