Cervical Cancer Risks

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect a woman’s reproductive system. Studies have shown that cervical cancer most likely occurs in women between the ages of 30 and 55.
“Cervical cancer is not prevalent in college-aged students.” states Pamela Metoyer, the nurse manager at the Southern University Student Health Center. Yet women of all ages should see their physician and get a routine test that is commonly known at the “Pap Test” or “Pap Smear” to detect the disease before it is too late. Since the inception of the Pap Test, the number of cervical cancer related deaths has decreased by 70 percent.
In the early stages, cervical cancer has no actual signs or symptoms but as it progresses, a woman can experience bleeding from the vagina after intercourse and between periods. She also could have watery, bloody discharge from the vagina that may be heavy and foul smelling. Also she may experience dull backaches and will eventually suffer from poor health, which comes in the later stages of the disease.
A risk that may increase cervical cancer is having multiple sexual partners, which increases the chance of getting other sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS. Young females are particularly at risk because there are fewer mature cells. Therefore, their reproductive system is susceptible to pre-cancerous changes. Having other STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis will increase the risk.
When a woman contracts HPV (Human Papillomavirus), the immune system responds by isolating the virus to keep it from damaging the cervix. The treatment for cancer takes many forms ranging from simple surgery which involves removing the abnormality from the cervix to the most severe, a hysterectomy. This surgery involves removing the entire cervix, uterus and other parts of the vagina.
Since women do not walk around with a sign saying “candidate for cervical cancer” they should get an inexpensive Pap Test completed routinely. Women should have the test done at least once a year. The test allows doctors to determine if the cervix has any abnormal cells (dysplasia).
HPV exposure is not an indication of a promiscuous past. Studies have indicated at least half the population of women who have ever engaged in intercourse have been exposed to at least one strain of HPV. Smoking also increases a woman’s ability to respond to HPV.
“When A-typical cells (abnormal cells) are found during a Pap Smear, the cells are sent off to a specialist for further investigation,” says Metoyer, “however, there are few cases of HPV contraction in college students.”
The best way to fight cervical cancer is to avoid or delay early sexual experiences, have fewer sex partners, ALWAYS use a condom, and have a Pap test done routinely.