1. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and International Gynaecological Health Awareness Day (10 September)
What is cervical cancer?
- Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women and can be life-threatening if not treated or diagnosed.
- This type of cancer develops in the cells of the cervix — this is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
2. What causes this cancer?
It is thought that various types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) – an infection transmitted through sexual activity – can cause this type of cancer. It is important to note, however, that not everybody with HPV will get cervical cancer. In fact, it is only a small percentage of people who get HPV that get cervical cancer.
Our immune systems will fight HPV if exposed to it to stop it from causing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus ends up surviving for years and playing a role in causing some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
3. Signs of cervical cancer
One of the biggest risks of cervical cancer is that in the early stages, it most often produces no signs or symptoms.
That is why regular checkups are so important.
https://www.ilivewell.co.za/2021/09/01/signs-of-cervical-cancer/