Cervical Cáncer, disturbing reality

The Cáncer, is a disturbing reality for all the people in the world, but the real meaning of this word lies in the context of the word, because people relate with dead and this is the biggest fear of humans. 
The cervical Cáncer is a bigger problem that affect thousands of women in the planet, and in Chile it is the principal problem for us, the Midwives and Obstetricians.
Which is it cause? well, cervical cáncer is caused by human papilomavirus or HPV, of which only 2 strains are carcinogenic, the strain 16 and 18. This strains of the virus attacks squamous or glandular epithelial cells that line the cervix (The cervix is the narrow portion of the womb where it joins with the top of the vagina).
Which are the signs and symptoms? Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms at first, but later, you may have pelvic pain or bleeding from the vagina. It usually takes several years for normal cells in the cervix to turn into cancer cells.
Prevention of this cáncer: A responsible sexuality, with the use of condoms offer protection against this cáncer, so the women should be serius in their sexual health, because this virus is highly contagious through of fluids and skin in the mucous membranes (oral and genital).
The HPV vaccine is other prevention method, but is very expensive and only women that not have sex can use.


The treatment consists in surgery (local excision in the womb) in early stages and hysterectomy (remove all womb and part of the vagina) with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease.


This is a big trouble for us, and we are the responsible for sexual health education of women, so we have a lot of work to do.
Education is the key :)