What should you do to avoid cervical cancer?

Everything you can.

That’s the message that Eunice Olsen, Nominated Member of Parliament and Miss Singapore Universe 2000 is trying to drive across in the campaign aptly titled ‘Everything I Can’, wearing her new hat as Cervical Cancer Awareness Ambassador.

Launching this month in May, the campaign comes hot on the trail of the first national large-scale studies of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) here.

HPV is the root cause of cervical cancer and warts, including genital warts, and the studies were aimed at discovering what Singaporeans knew about cervical cancer and its prevention.

What Singaporeans don’t know
1,000 young adult women and mothers were interviewed from December 2007 to January 2008. These is what the results showed:

• 75% of young adult females have never heard of HPV
• 69% of mothers haven’t, either.
  

Yet, cervical cancer is the most feared cancer by both groups
Of those who have heard of HPV:

• 60% do not know how common HPV is
• 89% of females between 17 and 25 think they are unlikely to be infected by HPV
• 98% of those surveyed would like their doctors to bring up the topic of how cervical cancer and genital warts can be prevented
• Mothers are more likely to start this discussion

Yet,

• 48% of the females between 17 and 26 years old are sexually active
• Of these, only 12% have had a pap smear

Unsurprisingly common

Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women. 200 new cases are discovered every year, and about half the cases will succumb to the disease.

Associate Professor Tay Sun Kuie, Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrical & Gynecological, Singapore General Hospital, said “HPV is an extremely common virus; however the results of the survey underline the fact that people do not seem to take it seriously enough.“

“When you are infected with HPV there are no signs or symptoms, this is why it is often known as “The Silent Killer”. HPV is not a discriminating disease as it can happen to any woman, even in a monogamous relationship.”
Dr Ann Tan, President Association of Women Doctors added, “There is a common misconception that cervical cancer only happens to women over 40, but many people are unaware that precancerous changes of the cervix can start in their twenties. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the world and is so sad to see that women are still not coming forward for screening and thus succumbing to it”

Beyond and before screening
“The most recent development in this area is anti-HPV vaccines. Women are encouraged to talk to their doctors about vaccinations which can prevent HPV infection and development of abnormal cells on the cervix or cervical cancer,” said Associate Professor Tay.

Eunice Olsen shared “Most of us have a “it won’t happen to me” attitude. But we should never take anything for granted. We must take care of ourselves. One way in which to do this is to arm ourselves with knowledge and I urge everyone to go and see a doctor to learn about HPV and talk about prevention methods for cervical cancer and genital warts. It is after all one of the most preventable cancers!”

Actually, you can count all of the cancers that are completely preventable on just one hand. Shouldn’t you do all you can to prevent this one? LW