#cervical cancer
The Sun Front Page: August 23, 1987
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Someone asked us:
Do virgins need Pap smears? I’m 24 years old, have never had sexual contact of any kind, and I know you’re supposed to start getting them at 21. Is it even possible for me to get the cancers Pap smears screen for? Is there an age that I should start getting them even if I haven’t had sex? I’m asexual, aromantic, and have never had a sex drive, so I’m not worried about ever catching HPV or developing any virus-caused cancers, but is there anything else a Pap test is for?
Going to the doctor for a wellness visit is important, whether you’re sexually active or not. Your doctor or nurse will tell you which tests you need and how often you should get them. But if you haven’t had any sexual contact with anyone, your nurse or doctor may decide not to perform a routine Pap test (AKA Pap smear).
Sexually active people between the ages of 21 and 25 need to get a Pap test once every three years to check for abnormal cells in the cervix that are caused by HPV. HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact with genitals, as well as oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Abnormal cells in the cervix can lead to cervical cancer, so it’s important to get a Pap test when your nurse or doctor recommends it.
You can schedule a wellness visit at your local Planned Parenthood health center.
-Attia at Planned Parenthood
i havent been wanting to talk about it but my mom has cervical cancer the doctors have been dicking her around since january now it has spread to her lymph nodes. i dont know what i’m saying but just please go to a gynecologist get screened, if you are under 26 please get the hpv shot.
i like to also remind y'all, you should get the hpv shot/s even if you don’t have a vagina.
i havent been wanting to talk about it but my mom has cervical cancer the doctors have been dicking her around since january now it has spread to her lymph nodes. i dont know what i’m saying but just please go to a gynecologist get screened, if you are under 26 please get the hpv shot.
Eve Medical, a company out of Toronto, is making is easier for people to screen for cervical cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. Users take a sample, mail it off to a testing facility, and receive results online a few days later!
Mika Doyle writes, “It’s a no-brainer method to prevent cervical cancer and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, but getting regular screenings isn’t always as easy as it seems.”
Kits are currently only available in Canada until the FDA approves them for sale in the United States. The company is currently an Indie-a-gogo campaign with hopes to launch in fall of this year.
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Keeping a low profile
Greetings to you all,
Excuse my absence, I’ve been resting.
Overcoming the unpredictable nature of life during this pandemic.
Acknowledging that as a relatively healthy young Black women, some health challenges are inevitable.
The past 18 months, I have been experiencing heavier than usual periods (and bleeding in between my cycle), pelvic pain, an excessive need to urinate, bloating and exhaustion.
These symptoms were causing serious concern, so I booked my cervical screening, something I had been putting off due to past traumatic experiences.
Although my test results didn’t show any serious abnormalities, I was referred for a colposcopy and a radiologist for a transvaginal ultrasound scan to see if there were any signs of fibroids or other issues that may impact my reproductive health.
The whole process was mentally and physically overwhelming. However, I needed to understand what was causing my symptoms, and more importantly, I wanted to rule out cervical cancer.
To my great relief, I was diagnosed with fibroids, apparently, the size of this “potentially benign” growth was so large that my gynecologist recommended surgery.
Instantly, my relief morphed into fear. In all my 35 years I’d never been admitted into hospital. Therefore, the thought of going under general anesthesia for a procedure, scared the sh** out of me.
I became anxious, so much so, that I was happy that my operation got postponed - to avoid putting myself (and others) at risk of catching Covid-19. As well as, ensuring that hospital resources, beds, and equipment were available to treat patients who are critically ill with the virus.
It was a four month wait, and during this time my symptoms didn’t subside. In fact, they got worse, leaving me feeling helpless.
I leaned on my amazing Mother, Sisters and Partner for support and encouragement. I drew even closer to God. Putting my life and healing in His capable hands.
Don’t get me wrong, I was nervous but I had faith.
Fast forward to this present day, I’m recovering from the surgery, and learned that I didn’t have a fibroid but an endometrial polyp, that was successfully removed.
I’m extremely grateful to all the NHS practitioners who examined and treated me throughout this process.
I’m super relieved the polyp was extracted from my uterus; as polyps can be cancerous or can eventually turn into cancer (precancerous polyps) if untreated or surgically removed.
To say it has been a whirlwind of a journey would be an understatement. Still I survived, so I will use my platform to raise awareness on female reproductive health issues, particularly conditions that dispositionally affect Black women.
PS - I was nervous about sharing such intimate details about my health. However, I want to normalise women’s reproductive health challenges.
Together, we need to eliminate the stigma many women face. 1 in 3 women have reproductive health issues and because of the Taboo they often suffer in silence, this needs to stop!
No one should be judged or alienated for conditions they have zero control over.
Hopefully, my post will reach women and girls who feel alone dealing with #pcos #fibroids #endometriosis #cervicalcancer and other reproductive health concerns. ❤️
Remain blessed and take care of yourselves
Author - @iameriwa
