What if I told you behind this face lies cancer? A cancer that does not reveal itself until the later stages is eating away on the inside showing symptoms only too late. Cancer does not strike based on age, looks or how much money you have; anyone can be a victim of cancer. Most cancers are terminal, but cervical cancer is different.

Cervical cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in the world and in Singapore, the numbers are astounding. 1 woman dies from cervical cancer every 5 days and 200 new cases are reported each year. But why would we be alarmed at these figures? It is sad knowing that a cervical cancer vaccine is available yet so many women are dying from something we have control over. Hahaha. There IS a prevention and treatment for cervical cancer, but the best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to start with education. Here are the facts:

Cervical Cancer Symptoms
* Abnormal bleeding
: in between periods
: after menopause
: after intercourse
* Watery or bloody discharge
* Lower abdominal pain during intercourse

Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
* Being a sexually active female
* First sexual intercourse at the age of 12++
* Multiple sexual partners
* Being a smoker increases the risk 10x
* Previously suffered from STDs

What are the available cervical cancer treatments available and appropriate preventions you can take to keep yourself safe, you might ask. Cervical cancer results from an infection of the cervix by the HPV (human papillomavirus). Because it’s transmitted via sexual activity, higher sexual activity naturally means higher risk of cervical cancer. But keeping yourself free from cancer is possible with the cervical cancer vaccine. Other than that, to fully protect yourself from the cervical cancer virus, below is a list of some prevention methods.

Cervical Cancer Prevention
* Go for your regular pap smear
* Stay faithful to one sexual partner
* Quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke
* Get your cervical cancer vaccination

The cervical cancer vaccination is a total of 3 jabs taken over several months. I figured it was a good start for me to get on the right track to protecting myself from cervical cancer. I got my first jab done last week and it was swift, although not exactly painless. Which injection is truly ever painless you tell me. But, it’s a temporary inconvenience for a lifetime of protection.

My mom was actually brave enough to get her pap smear done and she willingly signed up for the vaccination too! I’m so proud of her. But when she got to the clinic, she was told she didnt need the vaccine. The cervical cancer vaccine is actually recommended for women below 25 years of age in Singapore.

You know the saying, I am woman hear me roar. Dont let the symptoms of this women specific cancer tell you it’s too late. Take charge and be the change you want to see. If you had the power to control one thing in your life and make a difference, what would it be?

I’ve taken power over cervical cancer, will you?