Every year, more than 500,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. In the Philippines, it is the second most common cancer among Filipino women aged 15 to 44 years old, with seven dying of the dreaded disease every single day.<\/p>\n
At a press event organized by GSK Philippines, Esther Ganzon, Head of the Gynecologic Oncology Dept., Paranaque Doctors Hospital, says that cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus.<\/p>\n
Ganzon notes that the incidence of cervical cancer starts rising steeply at age 30. It is highest in women ages 40 to 55 years old. “My youngest patient was a 11-year old girl who was sold as a sex worker since she was 5 years old by her mother,” revealed Ganzon.<\/p>\n
So what causes cervical cancer?<\/strong><\/p>\n Ganzon says that persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus, is the necessary cause of cervical cancer. It has been shown that 99.7 percent of cervical cancer patients are positive for HPV infection. It is also estimated that up to 80 percent of women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.<\/p>\n There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which at least 13 are cancer-causing. Worldwide, HPV 16 and 18 contribute to 70% of all cancer cases, according to Ganzon.<\/p>\n The risk of developing cervical cancer is 250 to 400 times higher following persistent infection with oncogenic types compared to uninfected women.<\/p>\n The risk factors for HPV persistence and development of cervical cancer include tobacco smoking, early first sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, high parity, long-term use of oral contraceptive pills, and co-infection with HPV.<\/p>\n Ganzon says that while HPV is primarily transmitted via sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin genital contact is also a recognized mode of transmission.<\/p>\n What are the symptoms?<\/strong><\/p>\n Ganzon warns that in its early stage (stages 1 and 2), cervical cancer may have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms only appear after the cancer has reached an advanced stage and may include:<\/p>\n – Irregular, intermenstrual (between periods) or abnormal vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse More symptoms may arise at advanced stages.<\/p>\n
\n– back, leg or pelvic pain
\n– fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite
\n– vaginal discomfort or odourous discharge
\n– a single swollen leg<\/p>\n