January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

 

January is earmarked as cervical cancer awareness month.

 

 I’m feeling very bad that I’m just talking about this almost at the end of January. I must apologies to my women folks and the wonderful men who truly care about their mothers, sisters, wives, girlfriends and female colleagues and friends. As you all know that the beginning of the year is usually very tight, my schedule is very busy now that’s why I have very little time for posting on the blog.

 

I guest is good to be late than never, I promise to fully resume back soon.

 

Cervical cancer is the genital cancer that kills at least one woman in every one hour especially in Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. It is also the second commonest cancer after breast cancer affecting women in Nigeria. It is preventable and could be managed if detected very early.

 

Cervical cancer is said to occur in midlife however it does occur even in women below 20 years of age, some older women do not seem to realize that they are susceptible to developing the cancer as they age.

Medical expert noted that at least 70 per cent of cervical cancer is caused by a virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and mostly contacted through sexual intercourse, women who are sexually active are vulnerable to the HPV infection.

 

Aside HPV other factors that may increase chances of contracting cervical cancer are smoking, having HIV and using birth control pills for a long time or having given birth to three or more children. (African men I hope you are reading this), starting sex at an early age, having many sex partners and sex partners also having many multiple sex partners.

 

Abstinence is the best form of reducing your chances of contacting HPV which could lead to cervical cancer if not treated on time.

 

If you are already sexually active please limit the number of partners you have.

Have you Choosen a partner yet? If yes, then stay faithful to them because the fewer your sex partners  or fewer partners your partners have, the less likely you or them will have contact with HPV.

Condoms might be a method good to protect you from sexual transmitted diseases but It might not be the best against HPV, because other genital areas not covered by condoms can be exposed to HPV if your partner has it.

Pap test is the best option to detect pre-cancerous cells and cancerous cells in the cervix, however the test is not recommended for women below 21 years.

All women should get regular pap tests. The Pap test looks for cell changes caused by HPV. If test finds any cell changes early, the cervix can be treated before the cells turn into cancer. This test also can also find cancer in its early stages so it can be treated before it becomes too serious. It is rare to die from cervical cancer if the disease is caught early.

In developed country HPV vaccination is highly recommended for 11 to 26 years. Thou I’m not aware if this is a medical policy in Nigeria yet.

My correct Naija women please because say we no dey carry last that is the more reason you must make an effort to always get the cervix screen. My correct naija men that care about that special women in your life please encourage them to get the screening done because it shows you are a real man.

I've a good news for you my sisters in around Lagos, George Kerry Life Foundation (GKLF) in conjuction with Exquisite Magazine is offering free screening for women who are sexually active from age 21 to 65 years in this month of January to create more awareness about this preventable silent killer  in their office at No 1a, Unity Road, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

You can also visit their website for more information and or donate to support the foundation on www.georgekerryfoundation.com.