Dr. Adaora Ukoh, an Abuja-based gynaecologist, has warned that people who maintain multiple sexual partners increase their risk of contracting cervical cancer.
Ukoh said this on Tuesday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Ukoh explained that cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grew out of control.
According to her, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women, noting that it could be treated easily if diagnosed early through a pap test.
The expert mentioned that cervical cancer was caused by a virus called Human papillomavirus, which was often transmitted by having sexual intercourse with a carrier.
Ukoh also added that cervical cells could likely become cancerous in the transformation zone found at the opening of the cervix.
She further stated that not all HPV causes cervical cancer, adding that there are two types of cervical cancer: the squamous cell cervical and adenorcarcinoma cervical cancers.
The adenocarcinoma is the type that develops in the lining of or inner surface of an organ, while the squamous is the type that the portion of the cervix projects into the vagina, said the expert.
Ukoh, however, attributed smoking, weakened immune system and giving birth early as risk factors that could cause cervical cancer in women.
The gynaecologist said becoming sexually active too early and having multiple sexual partners could also predispose a woman to cervical cancer development.
She further mentioned certain genetics and socio-economic status as other factors that put a woman on high risk of developing cervical cancer.
Ukoh also said long term mental stress, several pregnancies as well as long term use of contraceptive pills were risk factors to the development of the disease.
She added that other sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea and syphilis, among others, increase the chances of developing cervical cancer.
Besides, she stated that prevention of the disease should start from taking HPV vaccination, saying that 70 per cent of the disease occurs due to the two types of HPVs.
She also recommended safe sex, regular cervical screening as well as sticking to one sexual partner as measures of preventing cervical cancer.
Ukoh added that delayed first sexual intercourse and non-smoking was another measure in lowering the risk of cervical cancer development.
She said treatment of cervical cancer depended on the stage of it, the patient’s age and the general health of the patient.
Ukoh also mentioned surgery in early stage of the disease as well as radiotherapy to help kill other cells that were inside and reduce reoccurrence.
She suggested the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced stage of the disease to help treat it.
Ukoh further advised women, who experience bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, smelly vaginal discharge and pelvic pain, to seek urgent medical attention.
NAN.Multiple sex partners increase risk of cervical cancer – Expert
Dr. Adaora Ukoh, an Abuja-based gynaecologist, has warned that people who maintain multiple sexual partners increase their risk of contracting cervical cancer.
Ukoh said this on Tuesday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Ukoh explained that cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grew out of control.
According to her, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women, noting that it could be treated easily if diagnosed early through a pap test.
The expert mentioned that cervical cancer was caused by a virus called Human papillomavirus, which was often transmitted by having sexual intercourse with a carrier.
Ukoh also added that cervical cells could likely become cancerous in the transformation zone found at the opening of the cervix.
She further stated that not all HPV causes cervical cancer, adding that there are two types of cervical cancer: the squamous cell cervical and adenorcarcinoma cervical cancers.
The adenocarcinoma is the type that develops in the lining of or inner surface of an organ, while the squamous is the type that the portion of the cervix projects into the vagina, said the expert.
Ukoh, however, attributed smoking, weakened immune system and giving birth early as risk factors that could cause cervical cancer in women.
The gynaecologist said becoming sexually active too early and having multiple sexual partners could also predispose a woman to cervical cancer development.
She further mentioned certain genetics and socio-economic status as other factors that put a woman on high risk of developing cervical cancer.
Ukoh also said long term mental stress, several pregnancies as well as long term use of contraceptive pills were risk factors to the development of the disease.
She added that other sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea and syphilis, among others, increase the chances of developing cervical cancer.
Besides, she stated that prevention of the disease should start from taking HPV vaccination, saying that 70 per cent of the disease occurs due to the two types of HPVs.
She also recommended safe sex, regular cervical screening as well as sticking to one sexual partner as measures of preventing cervical cancer.
Ukoh added that delayed first sexual intercourse and non-smoking was another measure in lowering the risk of cervical cancer development.
She said treatment of cervical cancer depended on the stage of it, the patient’s age and the general health of the patient.
Ukoh also mentioned surgery in early stage of the disease as well as radiotherapy to help kill other cells that were inside and reduce reoccurrence.
She suggested the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced stage of the disease to help treat it.
Ukoh further advised women, who experience bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, smelly vaginal discharge and pelvic pain, to seek urgent medical attention.
NAN
