Here are some relevant facts about cervical cancer:

• Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer occurring in women, after breast cancer.
• Worldwide, every two minutes, a woman dies of cervical cancer.
• Globally, more than 270,000 deaths occur each year from cervical cancer.
• There are an estimated 500,000 reported cervical cancer cases each year, with more than 80% in developing countries.
• In Asia Pacific, an estimated 266,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year, with approximately 143,000 dying from the disease.
• In developing countries, only 41% of women will get the treatment they need to survive.
• Cervical cancer affects women in the prime of their lives, often while they are working and are still responsible for their children and wider family.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among Malaysian females after breast and colorectal cancer. In 2006, cervical cancer accounted for 9.1% of all female cancers in Peninsula Malaysia .

Screening programmes using Pap smears are an important early detection tool, but normal Pap Smear do not detect all pre-cancerous lesions or cancer. Screening programmes can identify abnormal and pre-cancerous cells on the cervix; they do not prevent the cause of cervical cancer and abnormal cells, ie persistent infection with cancer-causing HPV types .

Excerpt: HPV and cervical cancer

There are 2 types of Pap Smear test in the market. Do take note that Pap Smear Thin Prep method should be used whenever possible for more accurate screening of cervix.

DIABETES mellitus is a major global health problem and has reached epidemic proportions in many developed and developing countries.

This is contributed by the global changes of population growth, longevity, urbanisation, mechanisation, obesity, and lifestyle.

At present, the highest number of people with diabetes is in Europe and America. It is predicted that by 2025, the number of diabetes sufferers in Asia would exceed 100 million.

Diabetics are often afflicted with many complications – eye problems, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and leg amputations.

In Malaysia, the prevalence of diabetes has increased; 4% in the 1980s, 8.3% in 1996, to 14.9% in 2006 – an increase of 250% over 20 years!

It is predicted that if this trend continues, one in every five adult Malaysians above the age of 30 would be diabetic.

Unfortunately, there are challenges in managing this condition in Asia, and Malaysia is no exception. There is inadequate understanding of the disease among patients and some healthcare providers.

Prevention is always better than cure. Click here to sign up as MJ Life Health Screening VIP and get your health managed for life!

Excerpt: Foot At Risk