Do women know that they can develop a cancer through sexual intercourse?
If they are not aware, cervical cancer ( cancer of the cervix) can develop as a result of a sexually transmitted disease known as human papilloma virus. ( HPV).
This virus is passed by men to their female sex partners but the irony is that the male carrier usually show no symptom and therefore not even aware that they are harbouring such a disease.
Before I go any further let me refresh our memory that the cervix is the neck of the womb. It is the area linking the vagina and the womb ( uterus).
Cancer of the cervix is the second commonest cancer in women ( breast cancer is the commonest) and it is quite deadly.
Is there hope for the women?
Yes there is hope. Every sexually active woman should go for a cervical smear , often known as pap smear.
What is this?
This is a screening test that detects changes in the cervix. It is not a test for cancer but one that can reveal if your cervix has undergone changes that can lead to cancer.
If these changes are detected early, they can be treated completely and successfully preventing the development of the cancer.
How is this smear done?
Your doctor or nurse will pass an instrument called speculum through your vagina to reveal the cervix and use another known as spatula to sweep around your cervix and collect cells . These cells are checked out in the laboratory for pre-cancerous cells.
Advanced countries like UK have a robust cervical screening programme for women between the ages of 25 and 64 years where they are invited for screening every 3 to 5 years, depending on their age.
In the UK this programme has been quite successful in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
There has also been plan to involve also women 20 years and above now in this screening programme.
So the message is that every woman within this age category of 20 to 64 years should go for a cervical smear immediately and if the results are normal, to repeat it every 3 to 5 years.
If however the result is abnormal they should see a good gynaecologist or oncologist immediately.
Apart from the cervical smear, there is also available vaccination against this virus (HPV). I am therefore advising young women who are sexually active to take advantage of this vaccination to prevent them contracting this infection that can cause cancer of the cervix.
Of course another advice is to avoid multiple sexual partners and most importantly always use a condom.
More on cancer of the cervix to follow.
Thanks for reading
Dr Chin Akano
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