This one is close to my heart as my mother died of cervical cancer at the age of 54 – so if I can encourage even one person to get checked out – it may save their life. By the way she had all her screening, never missed one throughout her life but she did ignore the main symptom that is the thrust of this article!!
The absolute take home message of this article is:
ONE episode of post-menopausal bleeding is cancer until proven otherwise – have you got that people – ONE EPISODE!!!
Go to the GP and fast.
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. There are many types of HPV. Some HPV types can cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time, while other types can cause genital or skin warts.
HPV is so common that most people get it at some time in their lives. HPV usually causes no symptoms so you can’t tell that you have it. For most women, HPV will be removed by a healthy immune system as happens to most viruses and other infections; however, if it does not, there is a chance that over time it may cause cervical cancer.
Other things can increase your risk of cervical cancer
- sex without a condom or other barrier method
- multiple sexual partners
- wounds or broken skin
- contact with contagious warts
- a routine of smoking or chewing tobacco, which weakens the immune system
- a compromised immune system
- a diet that’s low in important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
How to reduce your risk
- Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early
- The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
- The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes.
These things may also help lower your risk for cervical cancer:
- Don’t smoke.
- Use condoms during sex
- Limit your number of sexual partners.
- HPV vaccine – only really effective if given before becoming sexually active.
Signs and symptoms
Early on, cervical cancer may not cause signs and symptoms. Advanced cervical cancer may cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you, such as bleeding after sex. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor.
And, did I mention – JUST ONE EPISODE OF POST MENOPAUSAL BLEEDING IS CANCER UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.
