To the Ladies Out There...

Do anyone know that the 2nd most common cancer among Malaysian women is Cervical Cancer???

FACT:

At least 50% of people who are sexually active will get genital HPV.

What's HPV???

HPV is a common virus called Human Papillomavirus.

What is cervical cancer???

The cervix is the neck of the womb (uterus).

It connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal).

Cervical cancer begins when a woman becomes infected with certain type of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

If the immune system does not clear the infection, normal cells can begin grow abnormally and turn into precancerous lessions.

Cancer occurs when the cells of the cervix become abnormal and grow out of control.

The cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

There are over 100 types of HPV, but only a few of them actually cause cancer.

The virus is transmitted through genital skin to skin contact so it can affect virtually any woman, regardless of her age or lifestyle.

Anyone who has sexual activity involving genital contact could get genital HPV, even if there's no sexual intercourse.

It is estimated that about 4 out of 5 sexually active women will have an HPV infection during their lifetime, even if they've only had 1 or 2 sexual partners.

How do you know if you have HPV???

HPV usually has no signs or symptoms.

HPV infections are 1st discovered as a result of abnormal Pap tests.

A Pap test is part of the gynecological exam and helps detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix.

Options to prevent!!!

Regular Pap Test.

Abstinence from all sexual activity.

Maintain monogamous relationship with someone who has had no other or few sexual partners.

Limit the number of partners you have and choose your partners carefully. The fewer partners your partner has had, the less likely he or she is to have HPV.

Condoms may help reduce but is not fully protective against infection.

Vaccination with HPV vaccine.

Preventing cervical cancer!!!

GOOD NEWS!!!

Now in M'sia there are ways to protect against cervical cancer.

Currently vaccination is available to prevent HPV infection and may reduce the risk of cervical cancer and HPV related diseases caused by certain types of HPV.

Ideally females should get the vaccine before they are sexually active.

This is because the vaccine is most effective in women/girls who have not yet acquired any of the HPV types covered by the vaccine.

http://www.malaysiaoncology.org/article.php?aid=467

So ladies out there, go and talk to healthcare professional or a doctor.

Thanks to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and MSD for the cervical cancer information.

~Christine@blogspot.com~