Thursday, 24 June 2010

Power Over Cervical Cancer

Power Over Cervical Cancer is a campaign that depends heavily on the power of word of mouth to help save as many women as possible from Cervical Cancer. Whether or not you participate in this contest, we hope you can help to spread the message to all the women you care about on this fatal disease.

If you can prevent a cancer, wouldn’t you? Cervical Cancer is the only woman cancer that is preventable! And everyone needs to know that.

So what does Cervical Cancer really means?

Cervical cancer is cancer of the neck of the womb which is called cervix and is one of the most common cancers that affect a woman’s reproductive organs.

Cervical cancer is the 6th most common cancer among women in Singapore.

The incidence of cervical cancer has reduced considerably in the last few years due to screening with PAP smears.

And what are the causes?

It is not clear what causes the squamous cells or glandular cells of the cervix to become abnormal and develop into cancer.

The human papilloma virus (HPV) has been implicated in causing cervical cancer. However, most women with HPV do not develop cervical cancer.

Risk Factors

Factors which may increase the risk of cervical cancer include:

• Multiple sexual partners will increase the chance of acquiring HPV infection.
• Early sexual activity
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV/AIDS.
• Weak immune system due HIV/AIDS or the use of immunosuppressive drugs such as steroids as in organ transplant patients.
• Cigarette smoking

Some of the symptoms include:

• Vaginal bleeding following intercourse, or in between periods or after menopause
• Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul smell
• Lower abdominal pain or pain during intercourse

How to prevent Cervical Cancer?

The risk of cervical cancer can be reduced by taking measures to prevent HPV infection. HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact with any infected part of the body not just through intercourse. These include:

• Using condoms during sex reduces the risk of contracting HPV.
• Delaying first intercourse, having fewer sexual partners and avoiding smoking.
• Getting vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active.
• Having regular Pap smears which are the most effective way to detect cervical cancer.


Power Over Cervical Cancer is a campaign that aims to make Singapore the country with the lowest incidence of Cervical Cancer and they need your help to spread the word. Pledge your support for this cause and protect those you care about by telling them about Cervical Cancer. Together, we have POWER Over Cervical Cancer. Click the button below to begin!

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