Medically speaking, cancer can be defined as, ‘a group of conditions resulting from uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells’ but the real-life experience of cancer for patients, their family and friends is often a more personal and emotional experience, irrespective of the outcome. The definition therefore may be more accurately described in words such as ‘waiting’, ‘fatigue’, ‘uncertainty’, ‘helplessness’, ‘concern’, ‘fear’, ‘guilt’, ‘loss’ and ‘anger’, as just a few examples.

European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week takes place this year from the 23rd to the 29th of January. It aims to increase awareness about how cervical cancer can be prevented as well as highlight the screening services available in different countries. Cervical cancer affects on average around 300 women in Ireland per year with approximately 90 sadly dying from the disease per year (1). Cervical cancer is a type of gynaecological cancer which means it originates in the female reproductive tract and can be found in the cells or the glands that line the cervix. Factors that may increase somebody's risk of getting cervical cancer include; human papillomavirus (HPV), unprotected sex with multiple partners before the age of 17, smoking and a weakened immune system (2). According to the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, Food, Nutrition and Prevention of Cancer, low fruit and vegetable intake is one of the main nutritional risk factors for cervical cancer.

Overweight, obesity and the link with cervical cancer

There is an increased risk of cervical cancer in women who live with obesity, although the exact reasons for this are still not known. The most widely accepted school of thought is that the reason this group of people are at increased risk has to do with the fact that an increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with a lower rate of detection of cervical pre-cancer and as a result, a higher risk of cervical cancer diagnosis (3). A research study undertaken in 2020 which wanted to look at the effect of obesity on cervical cancer screening and outcomes, found that women living with Class 3 Obesity (previously known as morbid obesity) and obesity, they had higher rates of incorrect screening than participants not living with obesity (4). Further research also suggests that women living with obesity are less likely to go forward for screening when compared with leaner women (5), which as a result reduces their overall survival rate as cases of cancer are less likely to be detected early enough.

Prevention

In Ireland, prevention starts at a young age. Since 2010, the HPV vaccine has been offered to girls in their first year of secondary school and since 2019, has also been offered to boys in the same year. Although cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV, it can also cause cancer and genital warts in boys too. The National Cervical Screening Program, CervicalCheck, offers all women aged between 25-60 years a free smear test. You can book a test through their website www.cervicalcheck.ie or by calling 1800 45 45 55 to check if you are on the register. Catching cancer as early as possible increases the likelihood of survival. The Irish Cancer Society states that 4 out of 10 cancers can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as eating well, not smoking, reducing alcohol intake and increasing exercise.

The supportive environment and access to multiple healthcare professionals at Beyondbmi can really help you to make positive health changes. Contact us today to learn more about our weight loss management services and get started on your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

References

1. HSE. (2019). Cervical Cancer-Overview. [Online]. www2.hse.ie. Last Updated: December 2019. Available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/overview/#:~:text=Every%20year%20in%20Ireland%20about [Accessed 23 January 2023].

2. Mhairi Donald. (2014). Gynaecological Cancers. In: Joan Gandy. (Ed). Manual of Dietetic Practice. 5th ed. West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell. P.842.

3. Clarke MA....Schiffman M, et al. Epidemiologic evidence that excess body weight increases risk of cervical cancer by decreased detection of precancer. J Clin Oncol, January 22, 2018.

4. Gnade, Colette M. MD 1; Hill, Emily K. MD 2; Botkin, Hannah E. BS 3; Hefel, Alison R. BS 3; Hansen, Hayley E. BS, BA 3; Sheets, Kelsey A. BS 3; Mott, Sarah L. MS 4; Hardy-Fairbanks, Abbey J. MD 1; Stockdale, Colleen K. MD, MS 1 . Effect of Obesity on Cervical Cancer Screening and Outcomes. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease 24(4):p 358-362, October 2020.

5. Maruthur NM, Bolen SD, Brancati FL, Clark JM. The association of obesity and cervical cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2009 Feb;17(2):375-81