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Elizabeth's Cervical Cancer Awareness


CERVICAL CANCER
Many young women do not realize that, unlike other cancers that rarely affect women younger than 30, cervical cancer can develop in teenage girls and women in their 20s. All women should begin having the Pap test about 3 years after they start having sex (vaginal intercourse), but no later than 21 years of age.

Cervical cancer used to be one of the most common causes of cancer death for women in America. But between 1955 and 1992, the number of deaths caused by this disease declined by 74 percent. The main reason for this sharp decline is that more and more women were, and continue to be, screened for cervical cancer using a Pap smear.

By learning about Pap tests and other ways that they can minimize their cervical cancer risk, young women can lower the chance that they will develop this preventable disease.

NOTE: Having regularly scheduled Pap tests is one of the most important things a woman can do to help prevent cervical cancer.



  • Abnormal bleeding, spotting, or discharge from the vagina after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause
  • Watery, bloody discharge from your vagina; it may be heavy and have an unpleasant odor.
  • With advanced cancer, there may be pain, problems urinating, and swelling in the legs.




September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month—time to become aware of the warning signs of cancer of the cervix, uterus and ovaries. Fortunately, for cervical and uterine cancer, early detection provides an excellent chance for survival. Early detection of ovarian cancer can also be life-saving, but is much harder to detect in its early, curable stages.

Cervical cancer risk is closely linked to having multiple sex partners, sexually transmitted diseases, the human papillomavirus (HPV), smoking and using immunosuppressive drugs. All women over 18 years of age and those who are sexually active should undergo annual Pap tests to detect early signs of cervical cancer.


    



My daughter-in-law Erin was diagnosed with cervical cancer March 2005. To read Erin's story click here.