Cervical Cancer Screening

What factors increase the chances of HPV Infection leading to Full Cancer?

• Becoming sexually active at a young age
• Having many sexual partners and not using condoms
• Having a sexual partner with many sexual partners
• The presence of other STIs e.g. chlamydia, herpes, HIV/AIDs
• Use of tobacco or cigarette smoking

How can a woman reduce the chances of HPV infection leading to Full Cancer?

• Insist on condoms, if you feel at risk of STIs, to prevent HPV infection and protect against STIs that encourage development of cancer.
• Take your daughters for HPV vaccination, if they are between 9-13 years, before they have sex. The vaccine is effective for 7-8 years.
• Go for screening to check for pre-cancer:
  • For HIV negative women: every 3 – 5 years depending on the screening method, and results of the initial test.
  • For HIV positive women: every 6 months for the first year, then once a year thereafter.

How is a woman treated at Pre-Cancer stage?

• If the infected area is small, treatment is done using CRYOTHERAPY
  • Involves freezing (killing) of the Pre-Cancer cells, using a special gas
  • The patient is not put to sleep, or injected with anesthetic.
  • She will not feel any pain, but may feel  a little discomfort
  • Side effects: watery discharge (may have some blood), mild cramps, no sex for 1 month and cannot use tampons
  • After Cryotherapy expect watery vaginal discharge (may have some blood), mild cramps, NO sex for 1 month and cannot use tampons. If you must have sex then ensure you use a condom.
• If the Pre-Cancer is too big for Cryotherapy, two other methods may be used: LEEP and Cold Knife. These two require a woman to be put to sleep or be injected with anesthetic.