Cervical Cancer
Probably Cervical Cancer is the number one killer of women in the world. Even celebrityes had been attacked with this deadly desease. Celebrity Big Brother star Jade Goody was recently diagnosed with it, and actor Hrithik Roshan's sister, Sunaina, successfully battled it.
What is cervical cancer?
"Cervical cancer or cancer of the cervix is an abnormal growth of malignant (cancer) cells in the cervix. It's the second-most common cancer in females, and it's successfully curable in the early stages."
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Inter-menustrual spotting, foul -smelling vaginal discharge and experiencing pain or discomfort during sex.
Who is at risk?
Several risk factors increase your chance of developing cervical cancer.
- Early marriage, or sexual intercourse, at an early age.
- Having sex with multiple partners.
- Frequent child birth.
- Poor hygiene.
- Ninty-eight per cent of cancer of the cervix is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse, and gets into the DNA of the cervix, alters the cervical cells and promotes cancer.
Is there a cure for it?
If detected in the early stages, cervical cancer is completely curable. "Cervical cancer, in particular, is a disease that predominantly strikes women between the age of 40 and 60. If detected in the early stages, the chances of getting cured are 90%, while in the later stages, it drops to 50%."
Any woman, who is sexually active, should have a Pap Smear test done every year, as it helps detect changes in the cells of your cervix. If your tests are positive for abnormal cells, it's best to go for a cervical biopsy. In the early stages of the cancer, surgery is the main treatment, while radiotherapy can also be effective.
Reality star Jade Goody had to withdraw from the second series of Bigg Boss after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. She has been asked to have a hysterectomy, as she has a large tumour in her womb. It has been revealed that Jade Goody might have only had three months to live, if her secondary cancer had not been detected in time.