💙 January marks International Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! 💙

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer affecting women aged 15 – 44 years.

Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix, the lower part of the uterus or womb, which opens into the vagina. Virtually all cervical cancer cases (99 per cent) are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) – an extremely common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact.

Most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system & cause no symptoms. But in some cases, infection can persist & lead to the development of cervical cancer.

Typically, it takes between 15 – 20 years for an infected cervix to develop cancer. However,  sometimes the process can be faster, ranging between 5 –10 years.

When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early, & managed effectively.

Taking care of your cervical health is essential for overall health & wellbeing. Regular screenings such as Pap smears & HPV tests can help detect issues early, potentially preventing cervical cancer.

This Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: 💡

• Get informed. Find out the facts about cervical cancer & the HPV that causes it & help educate other women in your life too.
• Get screened. Cervical cancer screening typically develops at 30 years of age 30 & is repeated periodically.
• Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is administered in two doses – when a girl is between nine & 14 years of age.

Stay informed, get screened, & talk to your healthcare provider about your cervical health because early detection save lives. 💪

#cervicalscreening #smeartesting #Paptest #HPVtesting #early #diagnosis #healthcarePR