cococandy: Is it true that it's not necessary for women under 25?

It is necessary for every woman. These days it can present even in ages younger believe me I know. Vaccines are approved for girls as young as 13 especially my sisters in the North who start child birth early.
Even though 80 % of infection shows in woman 35 and above you wouldnt want to be the 20 percent, early detection is better than "Had I known"

aisha2:

It is necessary for every woman. These days it can present even in ages younger believe me I know. Vaccines are approved for girls as young as 13 especially my sisters in the North who start child birth early.
Even though 80 % of infection shows in woman 35 and above you wouldnt want to be the 20 percent, early detection is better than "Had I known"

Thank you

Babymama1 how's your health?

cococandy:
Thank you

Some facts, even though its different in Nigeria as its not declining here due to low awareness and low utilization of pap smear test:

Virtually all (99.7%) cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with a high-risk type of human papilomavirus (HPV). There are approximately 15 high-risk (oncogenic) types of HPV, with just two of these, 16 and 18, responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers.5

Although HPV is most commonly spread from one person to another through sexual activity, it can also be spread without sex, by skin-to-skin contact with an area of the body infected with HPV.6

More than half of all sexually active people will be infected with one or more HPV types at some point during their lives.8 However, the vast majority of HPV infections do not lead to cervical cancer. For cervical cancer to develop, a high-risk infection must also be persistent.

Most HPV infections are transient. Up to 90% resolve within 2 to 5 years. On average, a newly diagnosed HPV infection in young women lasts from 8 to 13 months.9

Aging is a risk factor for persistent infection. The rate of persistent high-risk infection for women older than age 55 is 50%, compared with a persistence rate of 20% in women younger than age 25.9

While long-term infection is necessary for cervical cancer to develop, the vast majority of women with persistent high-risk infection do not develop cervical cancer.10

Other factors

Other factors have been found to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer, either by increasing the risk of HPV infection or by increasing the chances of developing cervical neoplasia following a high-risk infection. These other factors are as follows:

Sexual activity: The main risk factors for HPV infection through sexual activity are early onset of sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, high-risk sexual partners,5 and failure to use a condom.8

Suppressed immune system: A weakened immune system, such as that caused by HIV or by drugs used for suppressing immune response, places women at higher risk for HPV infection and also for cervical cancer.6

Smoking: The risk of squamous cell cervical cancer is increased for women who smoke. Smoking not only exposes the body to cancer-causing chemicals but also weakens the immune system.6 Smoking does not appear to increase risk for adenocarcinoma of the cervix.5

First full-term pregnancy at a young age: A first full-term pregnancy in women younger than age 17 nearly doubles the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life, as compared with women who had their first full-term pregnancy at age 25 and older.6

Multiple full-term pregnancies: Women with 3 or more full-term pregnancies have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Hormonal changes or weaker immune systems during pregnancy are possible reasons.6

Family history of cervical cancer: A women with a mother or sister with cervical cancer has 2 to 3 times the risk of women without this family history.6

Oral contraceptives: The long-term use (5 or more years) of oral contraceptives has been shown to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.6 A collaborative analysis of data from 24 epidemiological studies found that risk increases with duration and declines after use ceases. After 10 or more years of cessation, risk appears to return to that of normal.11 Clinicians are encouraged to discuss with their patients whether the benefits of fertility management outweigh the potential risks.

Chlamydia infection: Some studies have shown higher relative risk in women whose blood test results show evidence of either past or current chlamydia infection.6

Diet and weight: A diet low in fruits and vegetables, as well as being overweight, may place women at increased risk for developing cervical cancer.6

Diethylstilbestrol (DES): DES may increase the risk of a rare form of cervical cancer in women whose mothers took DES when pregnant. About 1 case of this rare form occurs in every 1,000 DES daughters.6 (DES was given to some pregnant women in the United States from 1940 to 1971.)
Risk Reduction:

HPV Vaccines: Two FDA-approved vaccines (brand names, Gardasil and Cervarix) are highly effective in preventing infection with the types of HPV they target. Gardasil targets HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 and Cervarix targets against types 16 and 18 (16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers). The FDA has approved Gardasil for use in females (and males) ages 9 to 26 and Cervarix for use in females ages 9 to 25.12

Patients should be vaccinated before becoming sexually active; that is, before they may be exposed to HPV. However, even for persons who have been infected with one or more HPV types, the vaccine can still prevent infection from HPV types not yet acquired.13

Screening: Vaccination is not a substitute for screening with Pap tests. Even in women who have been vaccinated, cervical cancer can still occur. Screening is the most effective means for finding changes in the cervix before cancer has a chance to develop.

Worse still, Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Nigeria, and the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. About 23.7 per cent of women in the general population are estimated to harbour cervical HPV infection at a given time and percentage of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPV s 16 or 18.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect a woman’s reproductive organs and various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, playa role in causing most cases of cervical cancer.

When exposed to HPV, a woman’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. Thanks largely to Pap test screening, the death rate from cervical cancer has decreased greatly over the last 50 years. Today, most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented with a vaccine for young women
In a study, Senior Lecturer/ Consultant at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria, Dr. Marliyya Zayyan noted that all Nigerian sexually active women are at risk of cervical cancer but the risk of cancer of the cervix is reduced with male circumcision.

She says cancer of the cervix is the commonest malignancy among women in northern Nigeria. Three to four new cases are diagnosed every week in ABUTH, Zaria

“We had 203 cases of cervical cancer in 2007. This number represents 75 percent of the total cases of confirmed gynecologic cancers presenting to the unit. The age distribution was very wide and youngest age of presentation was 28 years and the oldest was a 90year old with very advanced disease.

The median age of presentation is 35 years. Maj ority of the women were married however 3 per cent were single women who have never married and 20 per cent were divorced or widowed. It affected family women with an average of 5 children.”

Stating in Nigeria cervical cancer patients present late, she said only four cases (1.9 per cent) out of 203 presented early enough for cure to be achieved. “For 98.5 per cent of cases the disease could best be palliated.

“The early symptom of bleeding after intercourse is often ignored by the patients. Two hundred cases were not possible to treat surgically. These cases were treated by heat treatment (radiotherapy).

A quarter of the patients presented with complications of very late disease like leaking urine or faeces, or blockage of their intestines or urinary flow”

Challenges of management, includes deaths from cervical cancer on poverty. “The cost per cycle of heat treatment is N25,000 and six to seven cycles are normally required. Special drugs required to melt out the cancer are very expensive and toxic. Could be unavailable. Follow up of discharged patients is difficult. Many specialists are required to effect treatment in the advanced stages patients present.”

On the way forward, “Cancer of the cervix is about the only human cancer that is almost entirely preventable. “It is also 100 per cent curable if picked at very early stage. Treatment is cheap and simple in early stages requiring minimal manpower to achieve the high cure rate. Cancer of the cervix has an established screening method that works. Today vaccines are available for primary prevention of cervical cancer. Theses vaccines are already in use in other places and technology for their production is known.

Control of Cervical cancer depends on increase in public awareness of the disease. Government should subsidise the treatment and incorporate screening programme into the primary health care as well as improve infrastructure and development of health facilities.

To reduce the burden, she posited that there should be constant training and re-training of personnel. She recommended that “We need a strategy to reduce the burden of disease in the community through education. We need to roll out a reliable screening plan to cover at least 80 per cent of our population.
The vaccine for cervical cancer should be part of our immunization plan. We should get rid of cervical cancer like other countries have done so we can direct attention on other cancers that have more complex biology.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/09/cervical-cancer-every-sexually-active-woman-is-at-risk/#sthash.souEIh2K.dpuf

Yea. I'm aware of the vaccination.

The cancer killed an older woman I knew about 2years ago.

That's when I enquired about the smear and was told to hold on for a few more years.
But was introduced to the vaccines then.
Thank you

aisha2:

Some facts, even though its different in Nigeria as its not declining here due to low awareness and low utilization of pap smear test:

Virtually all (99.7%) cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with a high-risk type of human papilomavirus (HPV). There are approximately 15 high-risk (oncogenic) types of HPV, with just two of these, 16 and 18, responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers.5

Although HPV is most commonly spread from one person to another through sexual activity, it can also be spread without sex, by skin-to-skin contact with an area of the body infected with HPV.6

More than half of all sexually active people will be infected with one or more HPV types at some point during their lives.8 However, the vast majority of HPV infections do not lead to cervical cancer. For cervical cancer to develop, a high-risk infection must also be persistent.

Most HPV infections are transient. Up to 90% resolve within 2 to 5 years. On average, a newly diagnosed HPV infection in young women lasts from 8 to 13 months.9

Aging is a risk factor for persistent infection. The rate of persistent high-risk infection for women older than age 55 is 50%, compared with a persistence rate of 20% in women younger than age 25.9

While long-term infection is necessary for cervical cancer to develop, the vast majority of women with persistent high-risk infection do not develop cervical cancer.10

Other factors

Other factors have been found to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer, either by increasing the risk of HPV infection or by increasing the chances of developing cervical neoplasia following a high-risk infection. These other factors are as follows:

Sexual activity: The main risk factors for HPV infection through sexual activity are early onset of sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, high-risk sexual partners,5 and failure to use a condom.8

Suppressed immune system: A weakened immune system, such as that caused by HIV or by drugs used for suppressing immune response, places women at higher risk for HPV infection and also for cervical cancer.6

Smoking: The risk of squamous cell cervical cancer is increased for women who smoke. Smoking not only exposes the body to cancer-causing chemicals but also weakens the immune system.6 Smoking does not appear to increase risk for adenocarcinoma of the cervix.5

First full-term pregnancy at a young age: A first full-term pregnancy in women younger than age 17 nearly doubles the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life, as compared with women who had their first full-term pregnancy at age 25 and older.6

Multiple full-term pregnancies: Women with 3 or more full-term pregnancies have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Hormonal changes or weaker immune systems during pregnancy are possible reasons.6

Family history of cervical cancer: A women with a mother or sister with cervical cancer has 2 to 3 times the risk of women without this family history.6

Oral contraceptives: The long-term use (5 or more years) of oral contraceptives has been shown to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.6 A collaborative analysis of data from 24 epidemiological studies found that risk increases with duration and declines after use ceases. After 10 or more years of cessation, risk appears to return to that of normal.11 Clinicians are encouraged to discuss with their patients whether the benefits of fertility management outweigh the potential risks.

Chlamydia infection: Some studies have shown higher relative risk in women whose blood test results show evidence of either past or current chlamydia infection.6

Diet and weight: A diet low in fruits and vegetables, as well as being overweight, may place women at increased risk for developing cervical cancer.6

Diethylstilbestrol (DES): DES may increase the risk of a rare form of cervical cancer in women whose mothers took DES when pregnant. About 1 case of this rare form occurs in every 1,000 DES daughters.6 (DES was given to some pregnant women in the United States from 1940 to 1971.)
Risk Reduction:

HPV Vaccines: Two FDA-approved vaccines (brand names, Gardasil and Cervarix) are highly effective in preventing infection with the types of HPV they target. Gardasil targets HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 and Cervarix targets against types 16 and 18 (16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers). The FDA has approved Gardasil for use in females (and males) ages 9 to 26 and Cervarix for use in females ages 9 to 25.12

Patients should be vaccinated before becoming sexually active; that is, before they may be exposed to HPV. However, even for persons who have been infected with one or more HPV types, the vaccine can still prevent infection from HPV types not yet acquired.13

Screening: Vaccination is not a substitute for screening with Pap tests. Even in women who have been vaccinated, cervical cancer can still occur. Screening is the most effective means for finding changes in the cervix before cancer has a chance to develop.

hmmm interesting. Thanks for the information

cococandy: Yea. I'm aware of the vaccination.

Thank you

We have to test before vaccination

Please share it with your sisters, your friends, your family, every woman should have this information, do a group test so you can encourage one another

red101: hmmm interesting. Thanks for the information

Ok.

aisha2:

We have to test before vaccination

aisha2:

Please go back. It is uncomfortable but necessary. EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES. It is necessary for every woman, It saved my life just a few months ago. Pap smear is uncomfortable but cervical cancer is worse, the discomfort and pain is *1000000.
Please go and get it done. Every woman should get one, PLEASE, am on my knees begging my fellow sisters, please go get your pap smear the discomfort is for an hour or less, Abeg please, in Gods name. Cervical cancer hardly presents till late stage 3 and 4, most of the symptoms seem like normal issues women go through so we ignore it till its too late

please wat does pap smear mean....pardon my ignorance

Bootybuttchic: please wat does pap smear mean....pardon my ignorance

Pap smear, cervical smear, or smear test) is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially pre-cancerous and cancerous processes in the endocervical canal (transformation zone) of the female reproductive system. Unusual findings are often followed up by more sensitive diagnostic procedures, and, if warranted, interventions that aim to prevent progression to cervical cancer.

aisha2: Pap smear, cervical smear, or smear test) is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially pre-cancerous and cancerous processes in the endocervical canal (transformation zone) of the female reproductive system. Unusual findings are often followed up by more sensitive diagnostic procedures, and, if warranted, interventions that aim to prevent progression to cervical cancer.

oww.....,thank u for the enlightment

^^

@aisha no knowledge is wasted knowledge, pls is the pap smear done periodically or just once in a woman's life time?

Aunty aisha2 tanx for the information.Very helpful.

@ Shizzle11, normally once in a life time is okay but for women with history of cervical cancer in thier family, it is recommended that they can do a yearly or once in 3 years.
I do mine once in 3 years but mamogram yearly. It is better to be safe than be sorry.

Splendblex, we thank God for providing information at our finger tips and the scientists working daily to ensure we have good health and information

aisha2: @ Shizzle11, normally once in a life time is okay but for women with history of cervical cancer in thier family, it is recommended that they can do a yearly or once in 3 years.
I do mine once in 3 years but mamogram yearly. It is better to be safe than be sorry.

Splendblex, we thank God for providing information at our finger tips and the scientists working daily to ensure we have good health and information

OK! thanks aisha. Very correct!

Awareness for breast is very high too cos cases of breast cancer seem to be on the increase nowadays. I hope women avail themselves of the opportunity to go for breast cancer examination. This thread is very informative.

shizzle11:
OK! thanks aisha. Very correct!
Awareness for breast is very high too cos cases of breast cancer seem to be on the increase nowadays. I hope women avail themselves of the opportunity to go for breast cancer examination. This thread is very informative.

Cervical Cancer has the second highest mortality rate for African Women.
Brea-st cancer has more awareness because we can do self examination every month and the hospital tests are less invasive, for cervical cancer the test is VERY invasive and so so many women are put off, also you cant do self examination. Its also a little uncomfortable and for cutural purposes women in the North due to early debut of sex-ual activity and child birth are more prone coupled with the fact that they would NOT voluntarily go for a pap smear and have their vag-ina examined and exposed unless they are in extreme pain which in most cases would have been too late for treatment or cure.
Also for brea-st cancer the lump will be prominent if you do self examination, for cervical cancer women normally mistake the symptoms for period pains or common toilet infections and self medicate which will most times alleviate the syptoms but leave the disease to fester

aisha2:

Cervical Cancer has the second highest mortality rate for African Women.
Brea-st cancer has more awareness because we can do self examination every month and the hospital tests are less invasive, for cervical cancer the test is VERY invasive and so so many women are put off, also you cant do self examination. Its also a little uncomfortable and for cutural purposes women in the North due to early debut of sex-ual activity and child birth are more prone coupled with the fact that they would NOT voluntarily go for a pap smear and have their vag-ina examined and exposed unless they are in extreme pain which in most cases would have been too late for treatment or cure.
Also for brea-st cancer the lump will be prominent if you do self examination, for cervical cancer women normally mistake the symptoms for period pains or common toilet infections and self medicate which will most times alleviate the syptoms but leave the disease to fester

Wow! i never knew. Very good points and analysis you have here aisha. Self examination has made early bweast cancer detection very possible virtually effortlessly and at no cost.

Most women are apprehensive about going for cervical cancer test because of their discomfort of doc/nurses invading their private, but enlightened women like yourself who know the importance will not under estimate the risks involved in neglecting the examination.

I believe the awareness for cervical cancer is low in this part of the world and i think its one of the reasons for the high rate of death like you rightly pointed above. Even in the southern part where people are more enlightened, they are discouraged for obvious reasons coupled with the fact that it comes at a cost, (we love cheap/free things in naija no thanks to austere economic hardship.)

shizzle11:
Wow! i never knew. Very good points and analysis you have here aisha. Self examination has made early bweast cancer detection very possible virtually effortlessly and at no cost.
Most women are apprehensive about going for cervical cancer test because of their discomfort of doc/nurses invading their private, but enlightened women like yourself who know the importance will not under estimate the risks involved in neglecting the examination.
I believe the awareness for cervical cancer is low in this part of the world and i think its one of the reasons for the high rate of death like you rightly pointed above. Even in the southern part where people are more enlightened, they are discouraged for obvious reasons coupled with the fact that it comes at a cost, (we love cheap/free things in naija no thanks to austere economic hardship.)

Sadly its the elites who even shy away from checking. When free tests are done you find women trekking from AYA to Millenuim park while even when hospitals partner with cooperate organizations to bring testing to the door steps of workers turn out is low.

Thanks for the awareness you are creating on this thread Aisha2 God bless you

Babymama1 hope you feel better soon.It is wel with you.

Pap smears are so uncomfortable but definitely worth the discomfort.thankfully our daughters generation might be spared at least one cancer due to the HPV vaccination.I sincerely hope cancer research eventually get there one day for all forms of cancer.

aisha2:

Sadly its the elites who even shy away from checking. When free tests are done you find women trekking from AYA to Millenuim park while even when hospitals partner with cooperate organizations to bring testing to the door steps of workers turn out is low.

Sadly indeed! and when it creeps into its advanced stage they start running helter-skelter in the usual naija fire-brigade-approach style, sometimes unsuccessfully .

shizzle11:
Sadly indeed! and when it creeps into its advanced stage they start running helter-skelter in the usual naija fire-brigade-approach style, sometimes unsuccessfully .

True then we start looking for millions for treatment.

damiso: Thanks for the awareness you are creating on this thread Aisha2 God bless you
Babymama1 hope you feel better soon.It is wel with you.
Pap smears are so uncomfortable but definitely worth the discomfort.thankfully our daughters generation might be spared at least one cancer due to the HPV vaccination.I sincerely hope cancer research eventually get there one day for all forms of cancer.

Bless you too. Babymama how body?