Cervical Cancer, one of the deadly cancer that can happen to all the women on this earth. It is not an uncommon cancer, it’s just that over the last 20 years, many women have taken part in the prevention programs, hence the number of cervical cancer cases in Singapore have been decreased.
We need to encourage our female loved ones to learn and take up the prevention, no one wants to see loved ones leaving us for an illness which can be prevented. Even if it’s detected early, we can be cured.
I was invited to a bloggers event, “Protect to Tell”, to learn more about Cervical Cancer, and of course to bring out the awareness to my loved ones and blog readers.
Guess what, theme colour was mint and pink! This is what I wanted to plan for my baby girl’s 1yo birthday party!
Event was held at my one of my favourite bakery, Lady M, where all female bloggers and invited media guests were treated with Lady M’s Mille Crêpes!
Lady M’s signature Mille Crêpes in green tea!
Checkers is da bomb for chocolate lovers!
Strawberry which I found it average, as I’m not a fan of cream on the top layer.
I had a rolling good times with my blogger friends.
Photo credits: Herine Ang
We wrote well-wishes on the decorated balloons for our mums, girlfriends and loved ones.
Here’s mine,
“To All Ladies, stay pretty & healthy! Women Rocks!”
“Live Love Laugh”
We had 3 speakers to share more info on Cervical Cancer with us.
There is nothing to fear when comes to prevention. 
If you think you have a lower risk of getting Cervical Cancer because there’s no such history in your family, you are wrong.
Cervical Cancer is caused by common virus – HPV.
There are about 130 different types of HPV but the 4 most frequent and aggressive HPV types that cause cervical cancer are:
- HPV 16
- HPV 18
- Hpv 45
- HPV 31
Women who have sexual intercourse are more prone to getting Cervical Cancer. Sticking to one partner doesn’t mean a lower or zero risk. This is different from AIDS. HPV is transmistted through skin-to-skin contact at the genital area, during sexual intercourse.
It can also be transmitted through non sexual contact like mother to infant during delivery. (This was something that I wasn’t aware earlier.)
Two phases for prevention,
Pap smears – Less than a 5-minute procedure. It’s painless, maybe slight discomfort for some ladies.
HPV vaccination – A 3-dosage of the needles, to be spread over 6 months.
(1st month, 3rd month, 6th month. Similar to Hepatitis B)
I’ve done Pap smears for 3 times so far and it was painless for me all 3 times. Felt a little discomfort, but I’d just have to breath in and out slowly, relax my muscles, and before I knew it, the procedure was done.
I’m not sure how much does a Pap smear cost, but trust me, it’s affordable and prolly like in the $20 bucks range or eve free of charge. Yes I mean free of charge! Because I bought women illness coverage policy from my insurance agent, I was given a complimentary health check inclusive of Pap smear once every 2-3 years. And after my recently delivery, my gynae did a Pap smear on me as well, to ensure all was safe and sound,
Gynae also recommended me to go for the vaccination which cost about $400-$450 (can use medishield to pay) 3 doses.
But if you are keen now, you can do your Pap smear free! Call 6489 9133 for an appointment.
So what’s the difference between Pap smears and vaccination? Do I have to do both to prevent Cervical Cancer?
Pap smears is just a procedure to scrap up the cells in our cervix to detect any changes in the cells. Changes of the cervix cells may develop into cancer in the later stage, so it’s good to Pap smears regularly for early detection.
Vaccination is to reduce the risk of developing cervical pre-cancers and Cervical Cancer. It can even prevent certain HPV infection, but no foolproof. There is a no 100% prevention ya.
So it’s good to do a first Pap smears, ensure we are cervical cancer-free, then do the vaccination. After which, perform Pap smears regularly for early detection.
Even if you’re already sexually active, you are still good to be vaccinated.
Vaccination is recommended to be done as young as the age of 9. The immune response will be stronger. Vaccination for teenage girls will not have any impact on their adolescent development, will not disrupt their mentrual cycle.
The main side effects are perhaps redness and alittle pain on the injection area, mild fever, and tiredness.
Find out more during your Pap smears consultation.
Call 6489 9133 for an appointment.
*
Protect to Tell – Cervical Cancer Awareness” on 12th April 2014 Sat (the “Event”) was held as a lunch session, organised and sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd. I was not paid for participating in the Event. All personal views expressed here are entirely my own.
Sassyd0ll 