By: Shuhaida Mohd Said
ALOR SETAR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Early invasive cervical cancer has no symptoms, according to Kedah Medical Centre Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Consultant Dr Siw Tong Seng.
Thus, Dr Siw said, investigation or examination like pap smear test should be done every one to three years, especially for those who are sexually active.
He said that one in three women develops cancer in their lifetime and 12 per cent are gynaecological.
From 1993 to 2004, there was a three per cent increase in the incidence of cancer mainly due to a rise in the post menopausal population, he said.
"Cervical cancer is second most common cancer affecting women in Malaysia after breast cancer, and an early detection is vital for survival," he told Bernama.
Cervical cancer begins in cells on the surface of the cervix and over time, it can invade more deeply into the cervix and nearby tissues, Dr Siw said.
The cervix is part of a woman's reproductive system in the pelvis. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus, or womb.
Dr Siw said that cervical cancer risk factors include human papillomavirus infection, smoking, and weakened immune system (such as Aids), sexual activity at a young age, multiple sex partners and poor personal hygiene.
"Most of my patients are between 30 and 40 but some developed country like the United States have cases involving younger women," he said.
One advice that Dr Siw gives to guard against cancer concerns food.
"Stick to a healthy diet because one third of all cancers may be related to
what we eat and drink," he said.
-- BERNAMA
