Cervical Cancer Consciousness Month Celebrated in BDH
By: Melanie Holt Photo By: GPC-BDH Date: May 14, 2019
CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS. Ms. Aiza Valdez, nurse at Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) advises women to undergo regular Pap smears to early detect cancer of the cervix during her lecture in observance of Cervical Cancer Consciousness Month on May 14, 2019. Cervical cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer when detected early but still ranks as one of the leading causes of death among Filipino women and the figures are rising according to the Department of Health.
“Through early detection, cervical cancer can be cured,” said Ms. Aiza Valdez, nurse of Bacnotan District Hospital during her lecture among women in observance of Cervical Cancer Consciousness Month on May 14, 2019 in Bacnotan, La Union.
In her lecture, it was mentioned that cervical cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer when detected early but still ranks as one of the leading causes of death among Filipino women and the figures are rising according to the Department of Health.
The cervix connects the vagina or birth canal to the upper part of the uterus or womb. Furthermore, it was cited that all women are at risk for cervical cancer occurring often over age 30. It is mainly caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and is passed through sexual intercourse.
It was also revealed that HPV is so common that most people acquire it at some point in their lives and has no symptoms. Moreover, in most women, the virus will go away on its own; however, some will develop cervical cancer. It was also discussed that there are many types of HPV varying from those causing skin warts, to genital warts, and those that cause cervical cancer. HPV 16 and 18 viruses were mentioned as the commonly associated prevailing in the Filipino population.
On the other hand, it was discussed that in advanced cervical cancer, the symptoms were vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause; watery or bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor; and pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.
Ms. Valdez encouraged women to undergo regular Pap smear for early detection for the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix. Another means of prevention cited was vaccination. Both boys and girls as early as 9 years old to 26 years old were advised to get vaccinated for prevention of acquiring the virus. It was also noted that vaccinated women shall still need to have regular Pap smear beginning age 21 and repeat them every few years for monitoring.
Risk factors for this cancer mentioned were having sex at an early age, having several sexual partners, having given birth to three or more children, using birth control pills for five or more years, smoking, and having sexually transmitted disease like HIV.
