She is a legend in the Hong Kong music scene, she is an idol in the hearts of countless people, she is Anita Mui. She touched generations of listeners with her singing, she faced various challenges in life with her strength and bravery, and she helped many people in need with her love and kindness. She was a radiant goddess, but died sadly on December 30, 2003, at the age of 40. She died of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer refers to malignant tumors that occur in the cervix of the uterus and is one of the most common gynaecological malignant tumors in women. According to statistics, more than 500,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, of which about 300,000 women die from the disease. In China, about 130,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, of whom about 48,000 die from the disease. The age of onset of cervical cancer is mainly concentrated between the ages of 30 and 50, but a small number of young women also suffer from the disease.
What is cervical cancer? What are the symptoms and risk factors for cervical cancer?
Anita Mui's glorious years
Anita Mui was born on October 10, 1963, and is a musical genius. She showed her love and talent for music from an early age. She began participating in singing competitions at the age of 7, and in 1982, she won the rookie singing competition with the song "Love in the Snow". Since then, she has started her own music career and has become a dazzling star in the Hong Kong music scene. Anita Mui not only has outstanding achievements in music, but also has been involved in film and television, advertising, charity and other fields.
She has starred in many movies and TV series, such as "Intimate Lover", "Yoshiko Kawashima", "Like Water Flowing Year", etc., which have been well received by audiences and film critics. She has actively participated in various public welfare activities and charitable undertakings, such as supporting education, anti-drugs, anti-SARS, etc., and has won the respect and love of the society. It has made a lot of contributions to society.
Anita Mui's cancer battle
Anita Mui's family has a genetic history of cancer, and her sister Mei Aifang also died of cervical cancer. Therefore, Anita Mui is vigilant about her body and has regular physical examinations. In 2001, she detected early lesions of cervical cancer during a physical examination. This is a condition that can be cured by surgery, but Anita Mui refused surgery.
Because she is afraid that the surgery will affect her fertility and beauty. She chose TCM treatment and continues to be busy with her work and life. In 2003, Anita Mui's condition deteriorated, and the cancer had spread to the pelvis and lymph nodes, reaching the advanced stage of cervical cancer.
At this time, she began to receive Western medical treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy. However, because the treatment was started too late, the effect was not ideal. Although Anita Mui showed a strong and optimistic attitude, her body became weaker and weaker. She often suffers from vaginal bleeding, low back pain, bloating, and even needs to sing on stage in diapers. She also endured the side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, etc.
Anita Mui still insists on her musical dreams in the process of fighting cancer. In October 2003, she held her last concert, "Classic Golden Melody Concert", which was also her last public appearance before her death. At the concert, she wore a wedding dress and "married" herself to her favorite stage. She sang her heart with all her strength: "I am willing to forget everything for you..." The audience was moved to tears by her singing and sent her final applause and blessings.
At 3:55 a.m. on December 30, 2003, Anita Mui passed away at St. Paul's Hospital in Hong Kong at the age of 40. She died of cervical cancer complicated by lung infection and multiple organ failure. The news of her death shocked the global Chinese community, and countless fans and media went to the hospital and the spiritual hall to bid her farewell. Many celebrities also expressed their condolences and respect for her, praising her as an irreplaceable musical diva and angel on earth.
Anita Mui left two wishes before her death: one was to donate all her property to charity, relatives and friends. The other is to scatter his ashes on the Pacific Ocean. "I want to be able to go back to nature, to God," she said. ”
So, what exactly is cervical cancer? What are its symptoms and risk factors?
The main cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus with more than 100 different subtypes. HPV infection usually does not cause obvious symptoms, but in some cases, HPV can cause abnormal cell proliferation on the cervix, also known as precancerous lesions of the cervix. If these abnormal cells are not detected and treated in time, they have the potential to develop into cervical cancer.
In addition to HPV infection, there are other risk factors that can increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer, such as early marriage and pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, multiple sexual partners, smoking, low immunity, genetics, etc. These risk factors all affect the normal function and resistance of the cervix, making it easier for HPV to invade and survive. Cervical cancer usually has no obvious symptoms in its early stages, so it can easily be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms of cervical cancer also begin to appear, and vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom. May occur during menstruation, after menstruation, after menopause. It is also accompanied by abnormal vaginal discharge and lower abdomen or lower back pain that may be persistent or intermittent. There may also be frequent urination, urgency or incontinence, bleeding or difficulty having bowel movements.
The most frightening symptoms are weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite or fever, which can be systemic symptoms of advanced cancer. If you have any one or more of the above symptoms, be sure to go to the hospital for a timely examination to avoid delaying treatment.
Screening for cervical cancer
Pap smear: This is a simple, quick, painless test that can detect cervical precancerous lesions and early-stage cervical cancer. It works by using a cotton swab or scraper to remove some cells from the cervix, and then observe the shape and changes of the cells under a microscope. If abnormal cells are found, further tests are needed.
HPV test: This is a method that can detect HPV infection and can be done with blood or vaginal secretions. It can determine the subtype and amount of HPV to assess the patient's risk of infection and treatment options.
Cervical biopsy: This is a method that can confirm the diagnosis of cervical cancer and needs to be performed under local anesthesia. It works by cutting a small piece of tissue from the cervix with a pair of small scissors or forceps, and then performing histology and immunohistochemistry tests in the laboratory. This allows the type, grade, and stage of cancer cells to be determined, allowing for treatment planning.
Color ultrasonography: This is a method of observing the structure and function of organs in the cervix and pelvis and can be performed with a vulvar or vaginal probe. It can show the size, location, and shape of the tumor, as well as whether there are swollen or metastatic lymph nodes.
According to the diagnosis of cervical cancer, the doctor will choose the appropriate treatment plan according to the patient's age, fertility, wishes, physical condition and other factors. Surgery is a radical treatment of early-stage cervical cancer and requires general anesthesia. There are various surgical methods, such as hysterectomy, cervical conectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, etc.
The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the cancerous tissue and possibly metastatic lymph nodes as possible, while preserving normal organ function. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be needed after surgery to prevent recurrence or metastasis.
Another form of treatment is radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing, either externally or internally. External radiation refers to the use of high-energy rays to irradiate the tumor site from the outside to the tumor; Internal radiation refers to the implantation of radioactive material into a tumor.
Prevention of cervical cancer
Prevention of cervical cancer mainly relies on HPV vaccination, which is an effective way to prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer. It can be done before or after the start of sex. At present, there are two HPV vaccines on the market in China, namely the quadrivalent vaccine and the nine-valent vaccine, which can prevent different subtypes of HPV infection.
HPV vaccination needs to be carried out according to the prescribed interval and dose, and generally requires 2-3 shots to complete. After vaccination, it can effectively reduce the risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer. Regular cervical cancer screening is an important way to detect cervical precancerous lesions and early cervical cancer in time, and can be done in hospitals or community health services.
It is recommended to have an annual Pap smear and HPV test, and if abnormal cells or high-risk HPV infection are found, further examination and treatment should be carried out in time. If there are no abnormal findings, the screening interval can be extended as recommended by your doctor.
Maintaining good lifestyle habits can reduce the likelihood of contracting HPV and developing cervical cancer. It is recommended to maintain moderate sexual behavior, avoid frequent changes of sexual partners or sexual relations with multiple sexual partners, quit smoking, or reduce the amount of cigarettes smoked, because smoking can impair the normal function and repair of the cervix; Maintain a balanced diet and eat foods rich in beneficial substances such as vitamins, antioxidants and fiber; Appropriate physical exercise to enhance physical fitness and mental state.
epilogue
Cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented and treated, but it causes many deaths and injuries to women. Anita Mui is a tragic example of this, she could have been able to get rid of the threat of cancer with timely surgery, but due to her worry and hesitation, the cancer worsened and eventually died. Her story is a wake-up call to us to pay attention to our health and to screen and prevent cervical cancer in a timely manner.
How often do you go to the hospital for check-ups? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!