CERVICAL cancer claims 800 women's lives in Spain every year – despite being one of the most preventable forms of the disease.
In 40% of cases, women do not find out they have cervical cancer until they are already at stage III or stage IV, which can mean a cure is less likely or even impossible.
The Association of Ovarian and Gynaecological Cancer Victims (ASACO) says if tumours in the cervix are found early on, treatment is far less invasive and has a very high chance of success.
Practically no symptoms are noticed by the sufferer until the cancer is at a very late stage, but given how slowly it develops, 'numerous opportunities' are available for early diagnosis and even prevention, says head of the Valencia Oncology Institute's (IVO's) Gynaecology Service, Dr Lucas Minig.
Simple signs such as a great deal of fluid, bleeding between periods or post-menopause, or heavier-than-usual periods may be experienced with advanced cervical cancer and be discovered when the woman is referred to a gynaecologist – but these symptoms cover a multitude of conditions which, in the huge majority of cases, are for very minor problems.
Of the 2,500 cases of cancer of the cervix, or neck of the womb, diagnosed every year in Spain, nearly a third of those women will die.
But Dr Minig stresses that this is nearly always unnecessary – women are called up for a smear test every two to three years from around the age of 21 to their mid- to late 60s, depending upon the individual health authority, and if they have experienced problems in the past, will be summoned more often.
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