Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers in women, particularly around women between the ages of 30-45. Cervical cancer is an abnormal growth of cells within the woman’s cervix. If left undetected or untreated, it has the potential of spreading to other parts of the body, eventually leading to death. The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the precursor to cervical cancer. HPV infects cells in the cervix and causes dysplasia that leads to cervical cancer.
Picture from American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
HPV is spread through sexual contact and is very common and easily contracted since condoms do not protect against it because they do not cover the entire genital area, but can be very deadly. Over 80 percent of sexually active women …show more content…
Women who have had 2 or more full term pregnancy’s or had a full term pregnancy before the age of 17 is twice more likely to develop cervical cancer. Smoking also increases your risk for cervical cancer, which many do not know. Many assume smoking is linked only with lung cancer. Smoking interferes with incidence and prevalence of HPV infection and is associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive CC. Multiple factors seem to intervene on cervical carcinogenesis related with tobacco, especially by direct local carcinogenic effect and local immunosuppression (Fonseca, Alberto, 2017). Family history of cervical cancer also puts you at risk 2-3 times more likely to develop in the future. This is why it is important to have routine checkups if you have a family history because cervical cancer can be prevented.
Anyone who has been sexually active can get HPV. You can have sex just once, your first time, and use protection and still get it if your partner has had one or more partners. HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of infection by the HPV types targeted by the vaccine (Schiller, Castellsague, Garland 2012). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved
Picture from American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
HPV is spread through sexual contact and is very common and easily contracted since condoms do not protect against it because they do not cover the entire genital area, but can be very deadly. Over 80 percent of sexually active women …show more content…
Women who have had 2 or more full term pregnancy’s or had a full term pregnancy before the age of 17 is twice more likely to develop cervical cancer. Smoking also increases your risk for cervical cancer, which many do not know. Many assume smoking is linked only with lung cancer. Smoking interferes with incidence and prevalence of HPV infection and is associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive CC. Multiple factors seem to intervene on cervical carcinogenesis related with tobacco, especially by direct local carcinogenic effect and local immunosuppression (Fonseca, Alberto, 2017). Family history of cervical cancer also puts you at risk 2-3 times more likely to develop in the future. This is why it is important to have routine checkups if you have a family history because cervical cancer can be prevented.
Anyone who has been sexually active can get HPV. You can have sex just once, your first time, and use protection and still get it if your partner has had one or more partners. HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of infection by the HPV types targeted by the vaccine (Schiller, Castellsague, Garland 2012). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved