Great Eastern Women 10K has adopted Singapore’s first-ever Cervical Cancer Prevention Fund as the official beneficiary for the event.
Help Cross Out Cervical Cancer Today!
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer affects the cervix or neck of the womb. In Singapore, there are 207 new cases diagnosed each year and about 85 women die from cervical cancer annually.
Most cervical cancer is caused by various strains of a common and contagious virus, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), transmitted through contact with the genital area or sexual contact. Regular Pap smears screening, taking only five minutes, helps detect cervical cancer even at its precancerous stage.
What is CCPF?
The Cervical Cancer Prevention Fund (CCPF) has been newly set up by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) and Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Singapore (OGSS) to reduce the disease burden of cervical cancer, one of the most preventable cancers in the world today.
What the Fund will do
It will help Cross Out Cervical Cancer.
Cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in Singapore.
OGSS and SCS will introduce cervical cancer prevention initiatives for women from all walks of life, to prompt them to protect themselves from cervical cancer. This will include preventive health talks and seminars for students and youths and the public to learn more about cervical cancer prevention.
Who is at risk?
All women aged 25 and 69 who:
- Had sex
- Had multiple sexual partners
- Had sexually transmitted infections (STI)
e.g. genital warts, genital herpes and human papillomavirus infection
- Smoke
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
- Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Irregular bleeding in between periods or after menopause
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
However, some cases of cervical cancer remain free of symptoms especially in the early phase, so women may not know it. Regular screening detects abnormal changes in the cervical cells and prevents cancer.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Go for a Pap smear test. This is a simple, quick, safe and usually painless procedure. If you have had sex before or are sexually active, have the Pap smear once every 3 years. Pap smears are available at all polyclinics, hospitals, most private clinics and the Singapore Cancer Society.
Encourage your loved ones to go with you for the life saving screening.
Help Cross Out Cervical Cancer Today!
Contact Singapore Cancer Society for more information
at tel: 6221 9578 or 6396 6241.
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