Mostly we as women was covered in black ... why?? Because we always fear to face the truth ... why do we have to manipulate the facts? I m here to day to share ... to give an awareness about cervical cancer , before its too late ... :)
MISCONCEPTION #1: Cervical cancer is easily detected.
Especially in its early stages, this disease may have no signs or symptoms at all. And the incidence of cervical cancer starts rising steeply at age 30.
MISCONCEPTION #2: Cervical cancer develops quickly.
The cancer on the lower part of the uterus is caused by Human Papillomavirus virus (HPV). Sexual intercourse is the primary route of transmission of genital HPV infection.
If left untreated, it may take more than five years for the infection to develop into pre-cancerous lesions. This usually requires an average of 20 years before becoming a full-blown cervical cancer.
“In that span of time, there’s no way of knowing if you’re infected or not unless you get yourself checked. That’s why most patients are aged 40 and above,” Ganzon said.
“So it’s always better if you get protected from the virus,” she added.
MISCONCEPTION #3: HPV vaccines are best administered when you’re older.
You don’t need to wait until you’re 25 before you get yourself vaccinated. In fact, the perfect age for a girl to get HPV vaccine is when she hits puberty at the age of 10 to 12.
“The recommendation is we start at 10 years old because when you’re very young, the anti-bodies you produce are twice higher than adult women,” Ganzon explains.
“If you’re 15, you produce 100,000 units of antibodies against HPV virus. A 10-year old actually produces 200 to 300,000 units,” she clarified.
MISCONCEPTION #4: You won’t be infected if you’re not sexually active.
HPV is a highly transmissible virus. This means that it can still be passed from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact even without penetration.
Ganzon also recalled having a patient, who said she never engaged in sexual activity before she acquired cervical cancer.
“It’s a very rare type of cervical cancer. She was in her 20s when she came to me. She underwent surgery that set her free from the disease. But she can no longer bear a child,” she recounted.
If you can't avoid sex, get yourself vaccinated against cervical cancer.
MISCONCEPTION #5: One dose of HPV vaccine is enough to protect you.
Ganzon explained that a dose of HPV vaccine only works for young girls, who are at their peak of producing anti-bodies.
Doctors recommend that adult women, whether sexually active or not, get three doses of the HPV vaccine. Women should get each dose at an appropriate time for them to produce enough number of anti-bodies.
“The first two doses should be 28 days apart. The third dose should be taken six months after the second one,” Ganzon said.
MISCONCEPTION #6: If you miss your vaccination schedule, you need to start over.
It’s okay to get the second or third dose at least two to three months from the time you should have received the first or second shots, Ganzon clarified.
“The last dose is just to boost whatever level of antibodies you have produced with the initial two doses of HPV vaccine,” she explained.
“The vaccine may still produce anti-bodies. But if they failed to get a follow up for at least a year or two, they might need to get more doses. They must consult with their doctors,” she noted.
MISCONCEPTION #7: The HPV vaccine is useless if you already have the virus.
HPV has different types; one could be stronger than the other. This makes the vaccine still effective in giving you protection against HPV types other than the particular virus you contracted.
But Ganzon strictly noted that HPV-infected women may need stronger type of vaccines or other antibiotics to get rid of the virus.
“That is why it is recommended for sexually active females to undergo tests first like pap smear for women aged 40 and older before getting HPV vaccines,” she said.
MISCONCEPTION #8: There is no cure for cervical cancer.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are just some of your options to get rid of cervical cancer. With the help of the right people who can give your proper attention and with the support of your family and friends, you can win the battle against this disease.
MISCONCEPTION #1: Cervical cancer is easily detected.
Especially in its early stages, this disease may have no signs or symptoms at all. And the incidence of cervical cancer starts rising steeply at age 30.
MISCONCEPTION #2: Cervical cancer develops quickly.
The cancer on the lower part of the uterus is caused by Human Papillomavirus virus (HPV). Sexual intercourse is the primary route of transmission of genital HPV infection.
If left untreated, it may take more than five years for the infection to develop into pre-cancerous lesions. This usually requires an average of 20 years before becoming a full-blown cervical cancer.
“In that span of time, there’s no way of knowing if you’re infected or not unless you get yourself checked. That’s why most patients are aged 40 and above,” Ganzon said.
“So it’s always better if you get protected from the virus,” she added.
MISCONCEPTION #3: HPV vaccines are best administered when you’re older.
You don’t need to wait until you’re 25 before you get yourself vaccinated. In fact, the perfect age for a girl to get HPV vaccine is when she hits puberty at the age of 10 to 12.
“The recommendation is we start at 10 years old because when you’re very young, the anti-bodies you produce are twice higher than adult women,” Ganzon explains.
“If you’re 15, you produce 100,000 units of antibodies against HPV virus. A 10-year old actually produces 200 to 300,000 units,” she clarified.
MISCONCEPTION #4: You won’t be infected if you’re not sexually active.
HPV is a highly transmissible virus. This means that it can still be passed from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact even without penetration.
Ganzon also recalled having a patient, who said she never engaged in sexual activity before she acquired cervical cancer.
“It’s a very rare type of cervical cancer. She was in her 20s when she came to me. She underwent surgery that set her free from the disease. But she can no longer bear a child,” she recounted.
If you can't avoid sex, get yourself vaccinated against cervical cancer.
MISCONCEPTION #5: One dose of HPV vaccine is enough to protect you.
Ganzon explained that a dose of HPV vaccine only works for young girls, who are at their peak of producing anti-bodies.
Doctors recommend that adult women, whether sexually active or not, get three doses of the HPV vaccine. Women should get each dose at an appropriate time for them to produce enough number of anti-bodies.
“The first two doses should be 28 days apart. The third dose should be taken six months after the second one,” Ganzon said.
MISCONCEPTION #6: If you miss your vaccination schedule, you need to start over.
It’s okay to get the second or third dose at least two to three months from the time you should have received the first or second shots, Ganzon clarified.
“The last dose is just to boost whatever level of antibodies you have produced with the initial two doses of HPV vaccine,” she explained.
“The vaccine may still produce anti-bodies. But if they failed to get a follow up for at least a year or two, they might need to get more doses. They must consult with their doctors,” she noted.
MISCONCEPTION #7: The HPV vaccine is useless if you already have the virus.
HPV has different types; one could be stronger than the other. This makes the vaccine still effective in giving you protection against HPV types other than the particular virus you contracted.
But Ganzon strictly noted that HPV-infected women may need stronger type of vaccines or other antibiotics to get rid of the virus.
“That is why it is recommended for sexually active females to undergo tests first like pap smear for women aged 40 and older before getting HPV vaccines,” she said.
MISCONCEPTION #8: There is no cure for cervical cancer.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are just some of your options to get rid of cervical cancer. With the help of the right people who can give your proper attention and with the support of your family and friends, you can win the battle against this disease.
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