CERVICAL CANCER

SUMMARY
Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women worldwide, and it remains a leading cause of cancer - related death for women in developing countries. In the article, it stressed the overview of the illness as well as its nature. Consequently, the nature of the illness is preventable, thus an effort for constant awareness is needed for any individual, specially for females. There are factors that place a woman at high risk for cervical cancer: a) history of early sexual contact; b) has had her first normal vaginal delivery at age 16 or earlier; c) history of having sex with different partners; d) history of having Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection; e) women from low socio-economic status f) women who have no opportunities. Moreover, according to the article, the incidence of the cancer of the cervix peaks between the ages 35 - 39 and 60 - 64 with a mean age at 52.2 years. According, the best way to screen, detect and prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer, is the use of Pap smear; it is safe, noninvasive, cost - effective medical procedure. It is composed of a cellular material obtained from the uterine cervix and is placed on a slide. The cells are then specially preserved and sent to a cytopathology laboratory for evaluation. Pap smear is not only cleaning but it can indeed detect vaginal infection or any hormonal evaluation. Furthermore, the gynecologist advises that smear should be taken yearly as soon as the female is sexually active. For women without sexual activity, a baseline or initial pap smear should be done beginning age 35, then yearly. After three consecutive yearly smears, if results show everything is normal, it can be done two years. Menopausal women and those whose uterus have been removed should have a yearly smears. Preparations for pap smear includes a) do not douche 48 hours before the smear b) do not use vaginal cream one week before the pap smear c) abstain from coitus 24 hours prior to pap smear d) there must be

no vaginal bleeding, menses or discharges from other sources. F) there must be no copious vaginal discharge. REFERENCE: Mildred Yutoe & Joyosthie Orba Health & Home March - April 2006

REACTION
Every woman is indeed a combination of mutual affiliations of feelings and grace, it is the chain for decoding the birth of hope and faith. Thus, every woman should be aware and careful, because every woman is susceptible. One of the most prevalent diseases that affects women today is the cancer of the cervix, due to some relevant factors such as improper education towards sexual intercourse and orientation about the probable causes and signs of this deadly disease. In the article, it deeply stressed the need for awareness. Im talking about education and readiness and not by tend to cast the reality away, instead they tend to neglect the idea of having a disease, knowing that they are the susceptible carriers of the disease, in the long run, that person may suffer from delirious complications and worst, death. From the article, it pointed out that, cervical cancer is very unpleasing to a woman, such that, it includes symptoms like pain, malaise and more severe infections. Nursing diagnosis may include: alteration in comfort, acute or chronic pain related to the disease process, altered thermoregulation, risk for fluid volume deficit, altered elimination, sexual dysfunction and risk for infection. It is very important to note that providing privacy of the patient is a needed tool, since it acquires an invasive procedure and confidential matters will be discussed, also health teachings are needed in order to attain a more effective goal. Proper integration of information towards the patient as well as to the community needs a more factual technique rather than using more complex explanations. What Im trying to emphasized, is that when it comes to community, health care personnel should use more graphical and relevant pictures including visual presentations to help the clients understand clearly the whole context of the problem, and we are one of the component of health care personnel. In my own point of view, the notion prevention is better than cure, is once again the key element of this recurrent dilemma, for some reasons, that the body was built to acquire

and fight against deadly pathogens or other foreign materials, thus naturally, the body is unique, once it is properly nourished, it will do primary functions to conquer such unbearable foes that tends to destroy its normal structure. Basing from the characteristics of cervical cancer, a person with disease may be assessed with the following: Abnormal vaginal bleeding or a significant unexplained change in your menstrual cycle: Bleeding when something comes in contact with the cervix, such as during sexual intercourse or insertion of a diaphragm: Pain during sexual intercourse: Abnormal vaginal discharge containing mucus that may be tinged with blood. Symptoms that may occur when your cervical cancer has progressed include, a anemia because of abnormal vaginal bleeding, ongoing pelvic, leg, or back pain, urinary problems because of blockage of a kidney or ureter, leakage of urine or fecal content into the vagina because an abnormal opening (fistula) has developed between the vagina and the bladder or rectum and weight loss. Consequently, if the client receives prompt treatment, the prognosis will be impressive, if not then death will occur. As an individual, preservation of life is a key towards enhancement, it is also the main concept of any medical field, and thus provision is the most concrete solution / prevention for any illness. Awareness in every field always takes a tool for every simple question, indeed education and prompt attention is needed. Finally, cervical cancer is just one of the most deadly and naked truth about the growing problem in our recent arena, it is selling like hot cakes in the market, it affects two women for a snap of 30 seconds, every tap of the clock counts, each sound of a tear drops a thousand token for medical billings in chemotherapy and radiation treatments, indeed, everyone must be conscious.