GET PROTECTED!
Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer that affects women, next to breast cancer
Worldwide, it claims a life every 2 minutes. In the Philippines, a woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes.
Unlike breast cancer, cervical cancer is not genetically predetermined. It’s actually viral. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the MOST COMMON
cause of cervical cancer. And yes, it’s transmitted sexually, even by
mere genitalia skin contact.Condoms do not offer full protection from
HPV infection. Also, once you are infected with HPV and cured, you can
still be re-infected, at any age.
There are 30 strains of HPV, and 15 of it are cancer-causing. The
important numbers to remember are 16 and 18 for these are the strains
that account for more than 70% of cervical cancer worldwide.
Cervical cancer is more difficult to detect as compared to breast
cancer, because there is no self-examination that can be done. Also,
you can get infected while you’re still in your 20’s, but the disease
can manifest when you’re in your 30’s. You’re probably in the prime of
your life by then.
Staying in a monogamous relationship also isn’t a guarantee that you
won’t get infected by the virus, because your partner may be infected,
but he wouldn’t know, ergo you wouldn’t know either. Nobody is
comfortable with dishing out ALL their sexual escapades right? So point
is, you’ll never know, unless you get him tested as well. For example,
Evita Peron died of cervical cancer. Her husband’s, Juan Peron, first
wife died of cervical cancer as well. I’m not saying that Mr. Peron is
an HPV carrier, but Evita also had a colorful sex life. So really, no
one really knows.
GOOD NEWS: Cervical cancer is preventable!
You can now get vaccinated against it. Cervical cancer vaccines can be
given to girls as young as 9 years old and even women 40 years old and
above. And even if you have been previously infected with HPV, the
vaccine can still protect you against the other cancer-causing types of
HPV out there.
ANOTHER GOOD NEWS: Cervical cancer in detectable through pap smears.
Get regular pap smears in order to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Women can have a pap smear 3 years after their initial sexual
intercourse or by the age of 21. Get yourself checked and be more
responsible with your health. Then by 35, get a mammogram:) (though if
you still haven’t had sexual intercourse by age 21, a pap smear may not
be prescribed by your doctor)
There is a disclaimer though. Getting vaccinated doesn’t give you the license to be promiscous.
Di ba, keep yourself clean. Take the proper measures so that you would
be able to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy, STD’s, and cancer.
If you’re gonna do it, might as well do it right.:)
**Thank you to my dear friend, Sel Calalang of the Cervarix Team of GSK
for inviting me to Girl-Talk. It was very informative and relevant. It
was a wake-up call that scared the heck out of me:)
