Did you know cervical cancer occurs in the lower part of the womb? Among other things, your chances of getting this cancer increase when you have sex with multiple people, have a weak immune system, start having sex from a young age or have a sexually transmitted disease. Here are more facts and myths about cervical cancer. 

Facts about cervical cancer

1. Smoking can cause cervical cancer. The chemicals in cigarette smoke intermingle with the cervix cells and over time this can cause cancer. 
2. You may not see symptoms of cervical cancer at first. Later symptoms include vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, pain in your pelvic region and pain during sex.
3. It’s important to have regular pap smears. Doing so can help detect cancer earlier. 

Myths about cervical cancer

1. It’s not curable. If found early, cervical cancer CAN be cured. If discovered late, it could spread to other parts of your body.
2. Everyone with the human papillomavirus (HPV) will get cervical cancer. It’s often linked to HPV, a sexually-transmitted virus, but not all women with HPV get cervical cancer. 
3. Cervical cancer is rare. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa, one in 42 women is diagnosed with this type of cancer.

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