A Senior Staff Nurse, Mrs Nneka Onwudiwe, has identified long time use of oral contraceptive (birth control) and keeping multiple sex partners as likely causes of cervix cancer.
Onwudiwe, a staff of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital Amaku, Awka, added that cervical cancer could be caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV), early sexual contact, low immune system suppression, HIV infections, family history, poverty and having a first full term pregnancy before age of 17 years,
According to her, cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
She urged women to always go for cervical screening to avoid cervical cancer as it has no earlier symptoms, avoid multiple sex partners or use condom as Human papillomavirus (HPV) can be spread through unprotected sex.
“But as it progresses it leads to abnormal signs like vagina bleeding, increased vaginal discharge that may be heavy and with a foul smell, bleeding after going through menopause, pelvic pain and experience of pain during sex.
”Women must not dread the killer disease but must brass up to face it by prompt medical attention so as to maintain a happy home, when mom is gone the joy of the home is gone as well,” she said.
