Cervical Cancer
I am a practicing pediatrician and not an OB Gyne expert, but I will talk a little about this disease entity to make parents be aware about this type of cancer and that this disease is vaccine preventable.
Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by human papillomavirus, a group of 200 or more viruses and most are sexually transmitted. A person can get the infection through sexual contact that later may develop an infection of herpes and chlamydia.
The common factors attributed are the following:
– early sex as early as 14 years young
– one with 6 or more sexual partners
– early pregnancy at 17 years young
– no regular check up or pap smears for the sexually active individuals
This cancer will not manifest early signs and symptoms and that it is diagnosed at late stage when the affected person will seek consult for:
– unusual discharges
– spotting or bleeding
– pain on urination
– pain on sexual intercourse
– body malaise and weakness
– and loss of weight
Cervical cancer is not inherited and this is usually a lifestyle disease. The following measures are important to prevent this disease:
* healthy lifestyle – by exercising, eating the right nutrition
* having a faithful sexual partner
* the use of condom correctly during intercourse if needed
* regular check up like pap smears/yearly for the sexually active individuals especially for females 25 years old and up
* and be vaccinated
There are vaccines now available in the market that protect people from getting cervical cancer. This can be given to both males and females from 9 years old with no age restrictions.
The schedule of the vaccines is:
1. For ages 9-14 years old
– 2 doses, the second dose can be given 5-13 months after the first dose
2. For ages 14 and up
– 3 doses, the second dose is given 2 months after the first dose and the 3rd dose is given 4 months after the 2nd dose (it is given within the 1 year period)