The Power of Knowledge in Women's Health
The knowledge of our bodies that we gain via keeping the laws of niddah can be harnessed to guard our health. For many, niddah creates an enhanced awareness of our cycles and what is our “normal” regarding the length of our cycles, flow of blood, pain, discharge, etc. For example, changes in menstrual bleeding and bleeding after intercourse that lead us to ask halachic questions can also instruct us to contact our health care providers. One of the worries in such a case is that abnormal bleeding may be a sign of cervical cancer, and hence it is important to have knowledge about this area that affects women.
Prevention and Screening for Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the only type of cancer that is totally preventable. There are two important interventions every woman should know about for cervical cancer. The first is the HPV vaccine. 99% of cervical cancer has been linked to the HPV virus. The HPV vaccine, which was introduced in 2006, is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. The second intervention is screening, which is accomplished either by a Pap smear or an HPV test. These procedures aim to catch irregular cells in the cervix before they develop into cancer.
Facts and Figures
In 2019, there were 261 cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in Israel, where it’s the 14th most common cancer for women. Cervical cancer incidence in Israel is low relative to other countries in the world. Screening also checks for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which are abnormal cells in the cervix that may develop into cancer if untreated.
Screening Techniques
Screening for cervical cancer can be done through a Pap smear or an HPV test. The HPV test is more accurate and reliable than the Pap smear and has replaced it in Israel's healthcare system.
Guidelines and Care
The current guidelines recommend women aged 25-65 to be screened every 5 years with the HPV test. Regular screening and vaccination for cervical cancer are essential for maintaining good health.
What to Expect
If you choose to get HPV testing, you can expect a simple procedure where cells are collected for analysis. Self-swab options are also available for convenience.
Treatment and Quality of Life
If diagnosed with cervical cancer or CIN, different types of treatment are available. It's important to consider the impact on the quality of life and explore proactive steps to safeguard health through regular screening.
Yael Maizels is a scientist studying women’s health at Ariel University in the Institute for Personalized and Translational Medicine.
Together with colleagues, I am performing a study on the quality of life of women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer or CIN. This study will help us understand your quality of life and how to improve it. If you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer or CIN at any point in your life and want to help us perform this study to improve the quality of life of women going through this, please help us and answer this survey.
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