6 Must-Know Facts About Cervical Cancer

Cheat-On-Cervical Cancer-banner

According to Human Papilloma Virus Centre;

  • About 14,943 new cases are diagnosed annually (estimates for 2018).
  • Ranks as the 2nd leading cause of female cancer.
  • 2nd most common female cancer in women aged 15 to 44 years.
  • Women at risk: (Female population aged >=15 years) 53.1 million.

Here’s a list of six facts you need to know about cervical cancer:

1.  HPV is the #1 cause of cervical cancer.

To find a cure, it’s vital to know the causes. Most cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another through sexual activity.  Both men and women can be infected with HPV. It can be present for years without causing any symptoms and can be passed on to others without knowing. Learn more about cancers.

The Centers for Diseases Control reports more than 20 million people are currently infected with HPV worldwide and another 6.2 million will contract the virus each year.[2] HPV has also been linked to other cancers including cancer of the throat, penis, anus, vulva and vagina.

2. Most cervical cancer cases are preventable.

Because cervical cancer is typically caused by HPV, the simplest way to prevent cervical cancer is to prevent HPV infection in the first place. Since 2006, a highly effective HPV vaccination has been used. Just like other vaccines, the HPV vaccine helps your immune system create an antibody response that protects your body against the infection. This vaccination is administered in two or three shots over a six-month period to both males and females between the ages of 9-26.[3]

Routine Pap testing is the best way to detect abnormal changes to the cervix before they develop into cancer. Much like removing polyps to prevent colon cancer, treating these abnormal cells can help prevent cervical cancer from forming. More than half of the women in the United States who get cervical cancer have never had or rarely had a Pap test.[4] The Pap test can also identify cervical cancer early – when it is in its most curable stage.

3. Only certain strains of HPV cause cancer.

HPV is serious – but not always a cancer indicator. HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses. Most men and women who have ever had sex will get HPV at some time in their lives. And while there are strains that can cause cervical cancer and make it the top cause of the disease, as mentioned above, most HPV infections go away without treatment and are not linked to cancer.

 4. Smoking and other factors increase the risk of cervical cancer.

Women who smoke are about twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer. Smoking weakens your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight HPV infections on its own.

There is also evidence that long-term use of oral contraceptives as well as being overweight increases the risk of cervical cancer.

Women with a sister or mother who had cervical cancer are two to three times more likely to develop the disease. Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of cervical cancer.

5. There are warning signs, but not early warning signs.

Cervical cancer often presents no symptoms in its early stages, which is why it is often referred to as a “silent killer.” But as the disease progresses, warning signs may present themselves. Examples include pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, painful urination, unusual discharge, abnormal menstrual cycles, pain or bleeding after sex, anaemia, urinary incontinence, and back pain.[6] If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.

6. Genomics research helps us attack cervical cancer – and all types of cancer.

NFCR has distinguished itself from other organizations by emphasizing long-term, transformative research and working to move people toward cancer genomics and away from the old “location-based” research approaches.

LAGOS SCREENING CENTRE

Sebeccly Cancer Care ⠀
NUT House. 29 Commercial Avenue, Sabo, Yaba⠀
Screening Test: VIA
Call 08170272543⠀
Colposcopy and Cryotherapy treatment available.
. ⠀
Arrive Alive Diagnostics and Imaging
35 Cole Street off (Same road as Diamond Bank)⠀
Ojuelegba⠀
08091838811⠀
Pap Test
.⠀
Foremost Radiology⠀
50 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere⠀
08062392299⠀
Pap Test⠀
N8000⠀
.⠀
Lakeshore Cancer Center
14 Amodu Tijani Close, Victoria Island.⠀
08034175046⠀
Liquid Based Cytology .HPV vaccination available.⠀
.⠀
Optimal Cancer Care⠀
118 Bode Thomas Street Surulere⠀
08081076646⠀
Screening Test: VIA⠀
N2500 (Monday to Thursday). Free on Fridays throughout January.⠀
.⠀
The Bridge Clinic (MediCentre)
66 Oduduwa Way, GRA Ikeja⠀
09068350060⠀
Liquid Based Cytology: N25000⠀
HPV Vaccination and HPV Testing⠀
.⠀
Well Woman Clinic
2nd Floor Surgical Outpatient⠀
Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH)⠀
Idi-Araba, Clinic Hours: 9a.m – 1p.m⠀
Screening Test: Pap Test⠀
Cost: N4250⠀
HPV Vaccination available⠀
.⠀
Medicheck⠀
46 Oduduwa Crescent GRA Ikeja⠀
08189804994⠀
Pap Test⠀
Cost: N10000 ⠀
.⠀
Help Diagnostics (Maryland & Ikorodu)⠀
Behind Mobil Filling Station, Maryland.⠀
09090146050, 08187151810⠀
Pap Test⠀
Cost: N10000⠀
.⠀
The Specialist Laboratories ⠀
6, Sodipo St Off Mabo Street⠀
Surulere⠀
08025789286⠀
Screening Tests⠀
Pap Test. HPV DNA Testing⠀
.⠀
Mecure Lekki and Oshodi⠀
07000632873⠀
Pap Test⠀
N8000⠀

OUTSIDE LAGOS

Abia:
Hopkins Diagnostics, opp Crunchies Bata, Aba, Abia State (Mention SMILE with me initiative for a discount)

Chees specialist Clinic
90-pound road Aba( Mention SMILE with me for a discount)

FMC Umuahia

ABSUTH Aba

Abuja:⠀
Firmcare Laboratories⠀
Suite A3/A4, Tswanya Centre,⠀
Muhammadu Buhari Way,⠀
Area 11 Garki
08081499391⠀
January offer: (Mention Smile with me foundation when booking)
Pap Test: 30% off
Liquid Based Cytology:N30% off
HPV Testing: 20% off
. ⠀
MedicAid
2, Libreville Street,Off Aminu Kano Cres.⠀
Wuse 2, Abuja⠀
0708744634, 07030044300⠀
Screening Tests: VIA
Pap Test:
HPV Vaccination⠀
.⠀
Ibadan:
Family Specialist Hospital,
15 b Water Reservoir Road,
Oluwonla Area, (beside Oluwonla Police Station) Bashorun.
08097763300

Family Specialist Hospital,
13, General Gas Road.
Akobo, Ibadan.
Pap Smear

ABC Foundation
Block 1 plot 4, Ibadan Municipal Government,⠀
off Adeoyo State hospital. Ring Road.⠀
VIA (Visual Inspection with acetic acid): N1000 HPV testing: N10000⠀
07010368526⠀
. ⠀
MECURE IBADAN⠀
5, Awosika Avenue, Old Bodija.⠀
07066615139⠀
Pap Test⠀
.⠀
Kaduna:⠀
ECHO Scan⠀
4, Katsina Road, by Independence Way.⠀
08023098373⠀
Pap Test: N8000⠀
.⠀
Kano:⠀
MECURE
8, Post Office Road (Opposite MoH) Kano. ⠀
07088650983⠀
Pap Test⠀
.⠀
Jos:⠀
Meena Histopathology Lab
Constitution Hill Rd, Close to Christian Pilgrims board. Jos⠀
08091555722⠀
Pap Test: N5000⠀
.⠀
Port-Harcourt:⠀
Hugo Health Systems
82 Peter Odili Road⠀
08037908623, 09052339306⠀
Pap Test: N10000⠀
HPV Testing and Vaccination available(Mention CancerAware when booking)
.⠀
Benin City:⠀
ECHO Scan.
08055666943⠀
Pap Test⠀
.⠀
Central Hospital Benin
Pap Test⠀
.⠀
University of Benin Teaching Hospital
Pap Test ⠀
.⠀
Oghara⠀
ECHO Scan
08023342566⠀
Pap Test⠀
.⠀
Umuahia⠀
MECURE
Opp Federal Medical Center,
Aba – Oweri Road,⠀
07088646026 ⠀
Pap Test⠀
.⠀
Asaba:⠀
ECHO Scan
Penny Mart Estate
272/273 Nnebisi Road⠀
Opp. First Bank, Beside FCMB⠀
08036185481.
.
Federal Medical Centre
Asaba
Pap Test
.
Aba:⠀
MECURE⠀
Abia State University Teaching Hospital
Ahiaba Umeze Road⠀
07006328732⠀
Pap Test ⠀
.⠀
Kwara:⠀
Leah Foundation HQ
Abdulkareem Adisa, GRA,⠀
Ilorin ⠀
09080066337⠀
VIA: N2000⠀
Cryotherapy, Colposcopy and HPV Vaccination available⠀
.⠀
KAAF Foundation
IPERU (Near Babcock Uni) OGUN STATE⠀
KAAF Building.⠀
Iperu. ⠀
VIA.
Free every 3rd week of the month.⠀
Thursday – Saturday. 08132354647.⠀

ref: http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/NGA.pdf

Article culled from – https://www.nfcr.org/blog/attention-women-6-must-know-facts-about-cervical-cancer/

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