Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. It is sixth on the list of the most widespread cancers in Saudi Arabia. “Women at the highest risk of developing cervical cancer are those between the ages of 40 and 49; the incidence of cancer gradually declines among women aged 50 and above. “What most people do not know about cervical cancer is that it is caused by a virus and that with regular testing and early diagnosis it can be easily prevented and stopped in its tracks before developing into uncontrollable cancer cells. “I strongly recommend women between the ages of 40 and 49 to get an annual Pap smear test,” said Dr. Khalid Sait, obstetrics and gynecology consultant at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. The virus infection which leads to cervical cancer is called the human papilloma virus (HPV). The cervix is considered to be the lower third of the uterus. A quick and inexpensive test done in the gynecologist's clinic, the Pap smear, detects any abnormality of the cells in this area which can be easily treated at this stage before the affected cells go cancerous. Women over the age of 20 should have this test done every two years and then once every five years in the absence of abnormal results. However, women between 40 and 49 years should be checked every year. A campaign was launched at King Abdulaziz University Hospital to spread awareness of the importance of early detection of cervical cancer. “We reached out to a large number of women in Jeddah to invite them to undergo a Pap smear test, free of charge. Of the 100,000 women that were contacted, only 2,000 women registered in the clinics to take the diagnostic test. “I cannot stress the importance of regular testing because early diagnosis and treatment dramatically increase the chances of successful treatment and survival, rather than detecting the illness later on when the cancer has increased in size and may have metastasized to other parts of the body,” said Dr. Sait. According to oncologists, the survival rate for the earliest stage of cervical cancer is 92 percent and 60 to 70 percent for those with stage II cancer. This is very promising in the usefulness of the Pap smear test as a diagnostic tool that can save lives. The statistics change depending on when the cancer is discovered. Survival rates decrease to 30 to 40 percent for women with stage III cancer and 15 percent or fewer for those with stage IV cancer. Risk factors for cervical cancer include cigarette smoking, especially for long-term smokers. An increased risk is associated with sexual activity at an early age, having multiple sexual partners, poor prenatal and postnatal care, and lack of personal hygiene. Such practices increase the exposure to HPV which is the culprit in cervical cancer. Research has disclosed other findings that clearly point to the wisdom behind specific Islamic prohibitions. For example, intercourse during menstruation and intercourse with an uncircumcised partner increase the risk of cervical cancer, both of which are forbidden in Islam. The early stages of cervical cancer may arise without any warning signs, which is why regular screening is emphasized by physicians. Occasionally, symptoms of cervical cancer may include one or more of the following: vaginal bleeding, a vaginal mass, moderate pain during intercourse, and unusual vaginal discharge. Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer are loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, swollen legs, and heavy vaginal bleeding. Although contracting HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, inadequate nutrition may also play a slight role. Eating a diet rich in anti-oxidant vitamins is essential for overall good health and not just for fighting cancer. A key woman's health vitamin is folic acid which can be found in green vegetables, broccoli, cracked wheat (bulgar), okra, oranges, spinach, white beans, kidney beans, asparagus, and avocado. Be sure to get an adequate intake of the anti-oxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E. A study showed that women who drink low-fat and skim milk are less likely to develop various cancers than those who drink whole milk.
