Remember, that trip to your gynecologist is
your worth your while – every time.

In 1998 statistics showed that over 71,000 women in the Philippines had cancer and more than 37,000 died of the disease.  The study projected 4,536 new cases and 2,204 deaths from cervical cancer for the year.  While the incidence of cervical cancer in developed countries is reported to be decreasing, the same is not true in the Philippines.  Thus, women should learn, and keep in mind, some basic facts about this condition.

Know your enemy

Cervical cancer is a disease that develops in the cervix, which is found in the lower end of the uterus.  This cancer may take many years to develop.  Unlike some cancers, cervical cancer presents early signs.

Abnormal cell growth, known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN), may form in the cervix.  Although CIN is not cancerous, it has a tendency to develop into cancer if left untreated.  CIN usually clears when the immune system gets rid of the virus may stay for many years, eventually causing cancer,

Health experts have identified various risk factors that are closely linked to cervical cancer.  They believe that cervical cancer is essentially a sexually transmitted disease.  Among the risk factors are early initiation into sex, having multiple sex partners, and having sex partners who have had multiple sex partners.

Besides an individual’s sexual behavior, a weak immune system may also allow CIN to develop into cancer.  Factors that may contribute to the weakening of the immune system are smoking, poor diet and infections.

Some researchers believe that women who take oral contraceptive pills have higher risk of developing cervical cancer.  But this has not yet been proven and research on this score continues.

Detecting cervical cancer

Symptoms of cervical cancer do not normally appear until the abnormal cell growth extends to other tissues.  When this happens, abnormal bleeding takes place.  The bleeding may occur after sexual intercourse, douching or after a pelvic examination.  When bleeding occurs after menopause, this may indicate cervical cancer.  Another telltale sign is increased vaginal discharge.

But there is a way to screen for the presence of abnormal cells that can cause cervical cancer.  Health experts advice that you should go to your gynecologist for a regular pap’s smear allows the doctor to see any abnormal changes in the cervix.

The regularity of your checkups will depend on your gynecologists.  There’s no definite age when pap’s smear tests should end.  However, gynecologists recommend discontinuing regular pap testing after age 65, provided that previous screens have been consistently normal.

Besides pap’s smear, acetic testing is another way to screen for cervical cancer.  The acetic or vinegar test is a cost-effective way to detect this type of cancer.

Studies show that pap’s smear in the Philippines has a cancer sensitivity rate of 30 to 89 percent and acetic acid visualization has a sensitivity of 51 to 77 percent.

In the acetic acid screen method, a swab cotton is immersed in acetic acid, this is then placed on the cervix.  If an area turns whitish, this is an indicator for health practitioners to suspect for the presence of cancer.  Other signs of cervical cancer are a grossly misshapen cervix and ulcers or masses on the cervix.

A biopsy of the cervix will establish the presence or absence of cancer.  In some instances, a bigger piece of tissue is required.  A cone biopsy is a minor operation in which the doctor cuts out a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix.  This tissue sample is then sent to the laboratory for examination.

How cervical cancer is treated

Treatments for cervical cancer aim to remove and destroy all the affected cells.

One treatment option for early cervical cancer is a hysterectomy.  In a tactical hysterectomy, the womb, all the tissues holding it in place, the top of the vagina and all the lymph nodes around the wombs are removed.

Another option for treatment makes use of radiotherapy.  This treatment makes use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in early and more advanced stages.

Chemotherapy or treatment with drugs can also be useful.  Anticancer or cytotoxic drugs are employed to destroy cancer cells.  The drugs work by disrupting the growth of cancer cells in the cervix.

In the modern treatment for cervical cancer, the doctor may advise a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.  Patients who undergo these combination treatments have better chances of survival.

Sooner is better

Don’t overlook your reproductive system in safeguarding your health.  Remember, that trip to your gynecologist is worth your while – every single time.

Published in Today last June 12, 2002