Cervical Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know
Cervical cancer is a serious women’s health issue worldwide, but the positive news is that it is largely preventable. Through regular pap testing, HPV screening, and timely vaccination, many lives can be saved. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with 660,000 new cases and 350,000 lives lost reported in 2022. Most of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries where access to basic healthcare services is limited. [who.int]
Barrier Faced by Women
1. Limited Access to Screening
Regular cervical cancer screening plays a vital role in early detection. Tests such as pap testing (pap smear test) and HPV testing help identify abnormal cervical cells before they develop into cancer. Unfortunately, in many regions, women do not have access to routine screening due to a lack of healthcare facilities, cost barriers, or the absence of organized screening programs.
Without screening, women often learn about the disease at a late stage.
2. Lack of Information
A lot of women do not know:
- What HPV is
- Why screening is needed
- What early signs to look for
This lack of awareness leads to delays in seeking medical help.
3. Social Stigma
Still, in many communities, talking about reproductive health feels uncomfortable.
Some women feel shy or afraid to get screened. Others do not share symptoms because they fear judgment. This silence stops early detection and care.
4. Myths and Misunderstandings
There are many misunderstandings about screening and the HPV vaccine.
For example, some people believe that screening is painful, vaccines are unsafe, or testing is only needed when symptoms appear.
In reality, HPV vaccines are safe and have been shown to reduce cervical cancer risk by more than 80% when given early. [cdc.gov]
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