What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical Cancer occurs in the lower part of the uterus (cells of the cervix) that connects to the vagina. A major role in causing most cervical cancer is played by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. In the early stages, cervical cancer grows slowly and there may be no symptoms. Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women.

There are many cervical cancer myths that result in uncertainty.

Today we are going to talk about the myths and facts related to cervical cancer.
Myth#1: If cervical cancer doesn’t run in the family, one doesn’t need to get screened.
Lack of a family history of this cancer doesn’t determine the chance of one having it and shouldn’t be the reason to skip screening. As mentioned earlier, this cancer is usually caused by certain types of HPV (Human papillomavirus). HPV is spread by skin contact during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the virus. HPV is very common that almost every sexually active person will get it at one point in their life if they have not had the vaccine.

Myth#2: If one doesn’t have any symptoms, they don’t need to get screened.
A screening test is always done to find anything abnormal in a healthy person who doesn’t have symptoms. A diagnostic test is done when there are symptoms to find out the cause of the symptoms. Women aren’t likely to experience any symptoms even if they have abnormal cells but they can be detected by screening.

Myth#3: Women who have cervical cancer can’t have a baby.
Cervical cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hysterectomy to the pelvic area but new treatment options enable the doctor to spare patients’ fertility so they can conceive and have children. 

Myth#4: Cervical cancer is hereditary.
This cancer is not hereditary like Ovarian and breast cancer. It is caused by HPV infection. Make sure to get your child the HPV vaccine to save them from the infection.

Myth#5: One needs to go through a pap test every year.
Once your HPV and Pap test are both normal. There is no need to get a pap test every single year. Though there are a few guidelines which are as follows:

 Ages 21-29: Pap test every 3 years
Ages 30 to 64: HPV and Pap test every 4 to 5 years
Old people who are 64 and older should consult their doctor whether they need to continue to go for the tests or not.
Myth#6: If I have cervical cancer, I don’t want to get screened because it can’t be treated anyway.
The disease can be prevented by screening as it helps find the abnormal cells on the cervix which can be treated before they turn into cancer. It also detects cancer early, when treatment works best. Women who opt not to get screened regularly miss the opportunity to detect abnormal tissue early, when treatment is very effective.

Lower your risk by:
Getting screened and get vaccinated. Let’s defeat cervical cancer, one step at a time!