While great strides have been made in cervical cancer prevention, the disease remains the second leading cause of cancer death in US women in their 20s and 30s. For Cervical Health Awareness Month, singer-songwriter and actress Mandy Moore (pictured), Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) and GlaxoSmithKline teamed up to help encourage young women to reduce their risk of cervical cancer.
A recent survey conducted on behalf of the GCF revealed that many young women aren’t well informed about cervical health. The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive with 1,006 female participants in the US ages 19-25.
According to the survey, 85% of young women don’t think they’re at risk for cervical cancer. Sadly, about 
one of five young women surveyed had “no clue” what the cervix does. Half of the women said they couldn’t identify their cervix on a picture of reproductive organs. The cervix connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina and is located in the lower narrow part of the uterus. The cervix keeps the uterus closed during pregnancy until it’s time to give birth.
“There’s a lot I didn’t know about cervical cancer and how to protect my cervical health, which inspired me to take action and rally other young women to join the cause,” said Mandy Moore. She commented that women shouldn’t have to suffer from the disease when there’s so much that can be done to prevent it.
The survey also revealed that 33% of young women feel more informed about the hottest music than reproductive health care.
One fact to know: Most women with cervical cancer or pre-cancer have no symptoms.
While approximately 75% of cervical cancers in North America are caused by the two most common human papillomavirus (HPV) types, an amazing 63% of women surveyed think they’re not at risk for HPV. Plus, 24% of the women surveyed said that the purpose of the Pap test hasn’t been properly explained to them. Many women (21%) incorrectly think that the Pap test detects ovarian cancer.
Of the women surveyed who’ve had an abnormal Pap test result, only 43% knew that cervical procedures to remove precancerous cells may be necessary. An abnormal Pap test may mean that changes have been caused by the HPV infection. Those changes can lead to pre-cancer, which can develop into cervical cancer if untreated. While 70% of women surveyed want to be mothers one day, only 13% realized that treatment of precancerous cells in the cervix could affect their ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Prevention of cervical cancer can start with a vaccine and lifestyle modifications to prevent HPV infection, as well as Pap tests. HPV is spread through direct (usually sexual) contact with an infected person. Above all, young women should visit a doctor and ask lots of questions about the Pap test, as well as the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Visit the Reality Check website to learn more about reducing your risk of cervical cancer.
(Images via PR Newswire/Reality Check campaign)
Post from: Blisstree