Blog #11

Another major global problem that seems to be growing in the number of lives it affects is cervical cancer. The proportion of women in their 20s diagnosed with cervical has risen significantly over the last 20 years. The research shows that the number of women diagnosed in 1990 has risen from 192 a year to 303 cases in 2007. 900 women a year in England die from cervical cancer and this disease needs to be stopped. Experts say that young girls should be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus which can trigger this disease. Also smoking and sexual activity can increase your risk for cervical cancer. The more men a woman has sex with increases her chance to pick up an infection with a cancer-causing strain of HPV. Also sleeping with one man who has had many partners puts you at risk as well. It is extremely important for the health of all women to be screen and vaccinated before they obtain this deadly disease. No individual should have to die from something that could have been stopped and it is our duty to bring about awareness.
The two main causes of cervical cancer are HPV and smoking, but the real question is why people smoke and why are so many women getting HPV. It is true however that all cases of cervical cancer are not caused by smoking and HPV, but for this analysis I will be focusing on these two main causes. First let’s look at why people smoke. Many people smoke because of stress which comes from working too much, problems with their family or relationship, worrying about loans or loved ones, etc. Another reason why people smoke is because they think it is cool. The see people on TV or actors smoking, they see that their friends do it, and sometimes it is just cool to do what your parents wouldn’t want you to do. There is no absolute reason why people smoke and they all know the dangerous effects that smoking can have on them, however they still do it. Which is fine of course but for most people it makes them happy. You never hear someone that consistently smokes say I hate smoking I do it because I have too. People do it because it feels a void in their life and brings them happiness. Yes it might be addicting but if you really want to quite something you just quite. Basically what I am saying here is that this thing that makes people happy can lead to an unfortunate death. Taking this notion in mind let’s talk about why so many people are receiving HPV. The Human Papilloma Virus is passed through sexual intercourse with another individual. So why do people have sex other than to reproduce. Many people have sex because there is also a void missing in their life and sex brings a quick gratification until you lose that feeling of pleasure. Many people have sex with multiply people and that is why studies say that 20 million Americans have had or still have HPV. They also show that 50% of men and women that are sexually active will receive HPV in their life. Why are more and more people having sex? It is just like smoking in the fact people are depressed and are looking for some sort of happiness along with the fact that society tells us that smoking and having sex is ok and what cool people do. As individuals we need to bring awareness of the dangers that smoking and sexual activity can produce which is not only cervical cancer. So what I am saying is that people look for happiness in the wrong places to feel a quick void which in turn takes multiple years off their lives.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/05/cervical-cancer-diagnosis-rate-rises?INTCMP