[Photo/mambozuri.com]Cervical cancer claims more than 2,400 women out of 4,000 cases reported annually, a Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) indicates. But the number of fatalities could be reduced if the killer disease is detected and treatment commences early.
Having many sexual partners endangers an individual from contracting the disease because HPV is transmitted as a result of sexual contact with an infected individual. Therefore, women with many sexual partners are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. Women who smoke are also at a higher risk of suffering from the disease than non-smokers.
It has also been proven that women who have given birth at a tender age but prolong using family planning pills could also suffer cervical cancer. There are tests carried out to diagnose cervical cancer such as Pap smear tests.
If abnormal cells are detected on the Pap smear, a colposcopy procedure is then performed; a small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken for examination by a pathologist to look for precancerous changes or cancer.
In this, a light microscope is used to examine the external surface cervix during a pelvic examination. The symptoms of cervical cancer include bleeding between periods, smelly vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain and pain during sexual intercourse. Cervical cancer treatments include; Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and surgery.