KUALA LUMPUR: Women in Malaysia are seeing an increase in the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer, the Malaysian National Cancer Registry said in a report. According to the center, over 1,100 women are diagnosed with the disease annually in the country. “According to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report 2007, cervical cancer was documented as the third most common cancer among Malaysian women and the second most common cancer among women globally," said International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Figo) president elect Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran. He said this during the launching of ‘Stand Up to Women's Cancers!' program, which was held in conjunction with the 10th Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congress earlier this month. “These figures should not be taken lightly. It is clear that if we do not begin to take immediate proactive measures, this problem will continue unchecked and affect more and more Malaysian women," said Sabaratnam, pointing out women could take three simple steps to safeguard their health. “The first step is to be aware that cervical cancer is very real and that ignorance is not a defense. Secondly, preventive steps must be taken to mitigate your risks and you can achieve this by going for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations and thirdly, make it a point to go for regular screening as this allows you to have a better chance at beating the cancer if it is detected early enough," he advised. Common cervical cancer symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, unusual heavy discharge, pelvic pain and pain during urination, he said, were usually dismissed as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).
