• Get vaccinated against HPV

This has been the shortest Jan­uary I can remember. Is it a mat­ter of perspectives or there is so much happening that time seems to speed by?

Whatever the reason may be we will continue to focus on our goas for 2023 and beyond and this time since its CERVICAL CANCER AWARE­NESS month, a number of the nuggets will look at this preventable / man­ageable cancer. The watch word(s) should be prevention and early detec­tion of changes.

Cervical cancer is the most pre­ventable of all female cancers. Do the following.

• Have regular cervical screening tests e.g. once every 3 years depend­ing on findings

• Get vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Practice safe sex

• Live a smoke-free life

• Eat a balanced diet to help sup­port your immune system

Signs and symptoms of Cervical Cancer you should not ignore

• Vaginal bleeding that is abnor­mal for you

• Bleeding after sexual inter­course

• Bleeding between periods

• Heavier periods than usual

• Changes in vaginal discharge

• Pain during sexual intercourse

• Persistent pain in your pelvis or lower back

Risk factors for Cervical Cancer

• Any woman with a cervix

• Anyone who is sexually active

• Anyone who smokes and drinks alcohol

• Family history of cervical cancer

The Human Pap­illoma Virus is the most common sexual­ly transmitted infec­tion and is the cause of almost all cervical cancer (WHO)

• Exercise has that immediate effect of improving your mood, focus and attention. With increased exercise over your lifetime, you slow the expres­sion of diseases such as Alzhei­mer’s and Dementia

• The best way to burn off the stress hormones without having to change your thinking is to move and sweat. Run, dance, jump, swim, stretch or skip; do something vigor­ous and lively. Yoga is also fabulous, as it combines movement and breathing.

Self-Care Check List

• Listen to your body

• Move more

• Eat healthy

• Breathe right

• Avoid harmful substances and ex­cess of anything

• Get enough sleep

• Cultivate grat­itude and joy

• Your thoughts, your feelings, your emotions, your beliefs literally communicate with every aspect of your biology every second. They all help to determine so much about your health

Some Longevity Principles

• Avoid ultra-processed foods

• Get quality sleep

• Strength exercises

• Build community and purpose

• Practice stress management

• Food is not only a source of energy, joy, connection and pleasure; it can also rejuvenate us and even reverse disease.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sug­ar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd/ Mobissel

(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “with better access to vaccination, screenings and treatments, cervi­cal cancer can be eliminated.”- WHO

Reference:

1. Cervical Cancer Awareness – The Bank Hospital

2. Cervical Cancer Awareness – Medpluspharmacyng

3. World Health Organization (WHO)

VK Fitness

Dr Mark Hyman

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel