According to recent statistics, cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the world. Unfortunately, the numbers are not in the favor of African American women either. Black women are the second ethnicity most likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and have a much higher mortality rate than other ethnic groups. With this in mind, the best way to protect yourself is to recognize the early signs of the disease and get in touch with your doctor quickly.
When it comes to cervical cancer, doctors are quick to point out that it’s easy to miss the early signs of the disease. That’s because there may not be any signs or they’re very subtle.
Still, if you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding after sex, after a pelvic exam, or between periods, you should be concerned. You should also pay attention to pain after sex, longer menstrual bleeding, or an unusual vaginal discharge.
The list of signs gets longer if cervical cancer starts to spread. At that point, you might have pelvic pain, bone pain, swollen feet, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, persistent back pain, and trouble urinating.
Of course, these issues can be caused by illnesses other than cervical cancer but they should never be ignored.
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Even if you’re not sure about what’s happening with your health, knowing your risk level can help to point you in the right direction. There are a few factors that can increase the risk of cervical cancer. These include a history of smoking, being exposed to certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), having other sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis, and having a weakened immune system.
People who became sexually active at an earlier age as well as those who have had multiple partners may be at a higher risk too.
As mentioned previously, being Black is also considered a potential risk factor so you already have one reason to get checked out regularly. While less likely, doctors are still interested in anyone who might have been exposed to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES). It was used in the 1950s to prevent miscarriages and the side effects can be passed on to the children of those who took it.
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Once you get in touch with your doctor, they’ll likely start the process of diagnosing your condition. Typically, this starts with doing a pap smear where cells are collected from your cervix and inspected under a microscope.
If the cells are normal, you won’t need to do anything else. If they are abnormal, however, your doctor will order further tests to determine what the abnormal cells mean and how to move forward.
These tests can include biopsies and blood tests. Regardless of what your doctor decides, it’s important to maintain communication with them so you know what to expect at each step. This ensures that you can let them know if anything changes in your symptoms or if you’re experiencing bad side effects.
The key to preventing cervical cancer is catching the abnormal cells quickly. To that end, you must have regular pap smears. The frequency may vary with age so ask your doctor what’s best for you.
Since cervical cancer is linked to HPV, it’s best to get tested for the virus often. Avoiding unprotected sex will also prevent exposure to the virus or other STIs that can increase your risk of getting the virus.
Another helpful aspect to consider is the HPV vaccine. This vaccine is a great option for people who have not yet been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Make sure to talk to your doctor about whether or not it’s right for you.
Cervical cancer is a huge concern for Black women. The best thing you can do to stay healthy is to catch it quickly. Watch out for the symptoms listed here and always talk to your doctor about the ways you can prevent the disease from getting worse.
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