As Covid cases continue to go up and down like a wild roller
coaster, how long will this surreal ride last? Please let me off. I’m done. I
never liked this ride from the very beginning. We all hope the current giant hill
we are on will be the last and we will no longer feel like we are in danger. I
guess that remains to be seen (fingers crossed). Unfortunately, this continual
up and down of cases makes a difference to some people whether they go for preventive
appointments and/or tests. With February being Cervical Health Awareness Month,
it is sadly notable that 26% of women surveyed have not scheduled a cervical
cancer screening since the pandemic began. Almost 24% of women aged 40 to 60
say it has been more than 36 months since their last appointment with their
OB/GYN provider. That’s not good. These are women who may be at an increased
risk for this preventable type of cancer.
Risk factors:
·
Being over 30 years old and have an HPV (human
papillomavirus) infection that hasn’t cleared up.
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HPV is the most transmissible sexual infection
in the United States and is now considered a common infection. There are more
than 40 types of HPV. Nine out of 10 cervical cancers are caused by HPV and
almost all can be prevented by vaccination. Some types of HPV can cause genital
warts, but others can cause cervical cancer and certain other cancers (vagina,
vulva, penis, anus, back of throat). Vaccines for HPV can help prevent the
infections that can lead to these problems. The CDC recommends that girls and
boys get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12, but you can still get vaccinated all
the way up to age 26. It can be weeks or even years after HPV exposure that
symptoms develop, making it difficult to know when or whom HPV may have been
contacted.
·
Having sex at an early age
·
Having multiple sex partners
·
Not having regular cervical screenings
·
Smoking
·
Using birth control pills for a long time
·
Having a weakened immune system
·
Having a close relative who has had cervical
cancer, like a mother or sister
·
Being exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before
birth
Symptoms:
·
Increased or unusual discharge from the vagina
·
Blood spotting or light bleeding at time other
than a normal menstrual period
·
Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer and heavier
than normal
·
Bleeding or pain during or after sex
·
Bleeding after menopause
Note: Certain precancerous conditions of the cervix usually
do not cause symptoms and can only be detected with a Pap test and pelvic exam.
Unfortunately, cervical cancer does not usually show
symptoms until in the later stages. Pap tests, pelvic exams and HPV tests are
crucial in order for early detection.
Cervical cancer used to be one of the leading causes of
death for women. With cervical cancer regular screening, vaccination and
follow-up treatment, it is now one of the most preventable cancers out there.
Please make your appointment to get preventive appointments
and/or tests scheduled if you’ve been putting them off. With all the measures
in place at provider offices and hospital outpatient departments, they are safe
places to go for care.
Early detection saves lives.
https://www.preventcancer.org/education/preventable-cancers/cervical/
https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/index.html
https://www.preventcancer.org/event/cervical-health-awareness-month-2022/
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