Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Key facts you should know

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Key facts you should know (Photo: iStock)

Cervical cancer is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it continues to affect many women around the world, including Kenya. Despite advancements in medicine and the availability of vaccines, it's unfortunate that more awareness and proactive measures aren't in place to combat this issue. For many women, cervical cancer remains a serious threat due to a lack of information or access to necessary care.

Its primary cause is persistent infection with certain high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually. Out of more than 200 strains of HPV, about 14 are considered high-risk for cervical cancer, with types 16 and 18 causing nearly 70% of cases worldwide. While most HPV infections clear up naturally within two years, some persist and cause changes in cervical cells that, if untreated, can develop into invasive cancer.