Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. Although the incidence of this cancer has severely declined over the last couple of decades, it is still a cancer that women should be aware of, so that they can product themselves. Cervical cancer symptoms can strike any women at any time in their life, which is why it is so important that you have yearly check-ups, including a pap smear, because this helps to detect any changes in your cervical cells, which normally occurs well before you begin having any cervical cancer symptoms. How do you get infected with cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer symptoms and the cancer itself is believed to be caused by exposure to HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV is the cause of 90% of the cervical cancers that are diagnosed. This virus can be passed to a woman via sexual intercourse or through skin-to-skin contact of the genital or anal area of an infected person. Even if you use a condom, you can still get HPV from a man via contact with his genital area or anal area. This makes it very important to limit your sexual partners and to abstain from sex with someone who has had many sexual partners.
Cervical cancer symptoms are not normally something that develops overnight. You can have HPV for months or years before your cervix begins producing cancerous cells. This is why it is so important that you have a yearly pap smear. Pap smears test the cervical area for changes in cell structure and for HPV that could indicate that you are at risk for cervical cancer. This risk factor for developing cervical cancer symptoms allows the physician to treat the HPV before you develop cervical cancer. The earlier that treatment is given for HPV or for cervical cancer symptoms, the more successful it is.
HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, so protecting yourself from HPV can go a long way in decreasing your chance of developing cervical cancer symptoms and cervical cancer. By limiting sexual partners, using condoms, and having regular, yearly pap smears, you can help to decrease your chances of developing cervical cancer or cervical cancer symptoms tremendously. Cervical cancer symptoms can happen with no warning or reason, but being proactive with your health is the most important and effective thing that you can do to help prevent cervical cancer and cervical cancer symptoms.