The cervix is a hollow cylinder that connects the lower part of a woman's uterus to the vagina. Most cervical cancers start in cells on the surface of the cervix. Many women do not notice the disease in its early stages, because it usually does not cause symptoms until the final stages. When symptoms appear, they are easily confused with common conditions, such as irregular menstrual periods or urinary tract infections.
According to Healthline , typical symptoms of cervical cancer are:
- Unusual bleeding (between periods, after sex or after menopause);
- Vaginal discharge that looks or smells different from normal;
- Pain in the pelvis;
- Need to urinate more frequently and pain when urinating.
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor for an examination.
STATISTICS
With around 500,000 new cases and 300,000 deaths per year worldwide, cervical cancer was diagnosed in 865 Portuguese women in 2020 and the cause of death for 379 women in Portugal.
DO YOUR SCREENING!
The week of January 25th to 31st will mark European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. Resulting from cellular changes that occur in the cervix, caused by an infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), this type of cancer takes, on average, ten years to develop, which makes the task of prevention possible, either through of the vaccine, either through screening (cytology and/or HPV research).
With the support of Roche Sistemas de Diagnósticos, the Portuguese League Against Cancer is carrying out an awareness campaign that aims to appeal to the need for screening for all women between the ages of 25 and 60.
With the motto “Scan and Alert the Women in Your Life”, the aim is to increase the general population's knowledge on this topic, demystifying some facts commonly associated with an HPV infection.
This is a topic that touches all women. So, be sure to take care of yourself and your health and get screened. This gesture could save your life.
