WOMEN in Pakistan need to be more vigilant when it comes to their health. Growing up no one that I went to school or college with was aware of the human papillomavirus (HPV) or cervical cancer which is very common among women.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s website: cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.

When exposed to HPV, a woman’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small group of women, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cells on the surface of the cervix to become cancer cells. You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection.

It is therefore imperative that young girls get vaccinated against it.

The type of cervical cancer that you have helps determine your prognosis and treatment. The main types of cervical cancer are: Squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cervical cancer begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix, which projects into the vagina.

Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Adenocarcinoma. This type of cervical cancer begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.

In 2012, an estimated 528,000 cases of cervical cancer were reported with 266,000 deaths. About 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases occur in developing countries and 90pc of deaths too.

In low-income countries, it is one of the most common causes of death.

Nagina Wahid

Kech

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2019