Cervical cancer awareness
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From the Knox County Hospital District.
KNOX CITY — wwwwwwwwwwwseCervical cancer used to be one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in the United States nearly four decades ago. Today, that statistic has dropped by nearly half through increased awareness and screenings. Like many health conditions, knowing more about cervical cancer and learning how to identify symptoms can be a lifesaver.
“Detecting cervical cancer early, or preventing it altogether, begins with regular screenings and vaccinations,” said Dr. (insert) Sloan of the Knox City and Munday Clinics. “Studies reveal that there has been a decrease in diagnosis of this disease in Texas over the last two decades.
While that is great news, it is important that we keep the conversation going to ensure the trend continues
downward and the women of our community remain healthy.”
Cervical cancer is a disease in which cells within the cervix grow uncontrollably. Like most cancers, if untreated, it can quickly spread to other parts of the body and affect vital organs.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), few women under the
age of 20 develop cervical cancer
as most that are diagnosed
are between the ages of 30 and
55. Risk factors include smoking,
having a compromised immune
system, using birth control
pills for an extended period
(five years or longer), and having
given birth to more than three
children.
Almost all cervical cancers
are caused by the human papilloma
virus (HPV), a common
virus in both men and women
that is spread through sexual
intercourse. The CDC estimates
that half of sexually active people
will have HPV at some point in
their lives, but few women will
develop cervical cancer as a result.
Dr. Sloan says that a vaccine is
available to stop HPV infections
and women should talk with
their gynecologist or primary
medical provider to see if the
HPV vaccine is right for them.
Several tests can be performed
for cervical cancer screening.
Pap smears are often the first
test performed to detect precancerous
cells or cancer. If the
results come back abnormal, additional
tests may be performed
before final diagnosis.
Screening for cervical cancer
offers the ability to detect cancer
early, even before symptoms
appear. This type of preventive
healthcare allows physicians to
detect and remove precancerous
lesions before they grow and
spread to other parts of the body.
Cervical cancer is one of the
least-likely topics to be discussed
during a visit to your medical
provider according to various
studies on the topic. Knowing
this, Dr. Sloan says that asking
your medical provider to explain
the risks of cervical cancer can
be an excellent starting point for
opening dialogue.
“As we observe Cervical Cancer
Awareness Month throughout
January, there is no better
time than now to bring this important
topic to the forefront,”
Dr. Sloan said, “It is our hope
that women in our community
will ask their medical provider
about risks and appropriate
screening measures.”
For more information on cervical
cancer and your risks, please
talk with your primary medical
provider. You can also schedule
an appointment at Knox City
Clinic or Munday Clinic. For
locations and telephone numbers,
please visit www.knoxhospital.
org.
