In 2018, the American Cancer Society predicts about 13,240 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. And for about 4,170 women, their battle with cervical cancer will end fatally. Although cancer of the cervix affects a large amount of sexually active women (globally) each year, a new study reveals that only three in ten women are confident in recognizing the symptoms of cervical cancer.
This distressing new information was collected by the United Kingdom’s YouGov, which surveyed 1,650 British women between the ages of 18 and 49 in June 2018. Of those women surveyed, 64% stated they are “not very or not at all confident” when it comes to recognizing cervical cancer symptoms. 79% of women between the ages of 18 and 24 (the age group with the largest risk for developing cervical cancer) also said they were not confident in determining symptoms.
A disheartening three in ten women (29%) said they would be able to recognize cervical cancer symptoms.
YouGov also found that one in twenty women surveyed between the ages of 25 and 49 would never go to a doctor if symptoms appeared. In general, the YouGov study noted that younger women take longer to contact their doctor in regards to something related to their genitalia.
Only 18% of women said they would see their doctor immediately after noticing symptoms.
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Early cervical cancer or pre-cancers don’t often show signs that something is amiss. Symptoms begin after the cancer grows and attaches to nearby tissues. These symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding (spotting between periods, bleeding after sex, heavier periods, or bleeding after menopause), abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain during sex.
But so much can be done to prevent cervical cancer before symptoms appear. By receiving regular Pap smears and HPV tests starting at age 21, most women can thwart cervical cancer from developing by nipping pre-cancers in the bud. Alternatively, younger women can be vaccinated for HPV, which will therefore greatly lessen the risk for contracting cervical cancer in the future.
We recommend you learn more about cervical cancer prevention via the American Cancer Society’s prevention page.
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Cervical cancer is one of the most treatable and preventable cancers in existence. By partaking in screenings, following the advice of our doctors, and educating ourselves and each other on the risks and symptoms associated with cervical cancer, we can easily save so many women from receiving that dreaded diagnosis.