Cervical Cancer Prevention – What You Need To Know

One of the most common cancers in women is cervical cancer, which is 6th most common in Poland and 2nd in the world. According to the Ministry of Health, in Poland about 3,000 patients are diagnosed annually (that's as much as 10% of cancers), of which 1,700 die of this disease. On the other hand, full recovery at an early stage of detection occurs in over 99% of cases.

Factors increasing the risk of the cancer

The main cause of cervical cancer development is infection with the human papillomavirus - HPV, which is spread by sexual means. According to the World Health Organization, it is responsible for 99% of cases. The risk factors for infection include, but are not limited to:

• lack of protection during intercourse;

• weakened immunity;

• smoking;

• number of births;

• age.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Symptoms that usually accompany the development of the disease are:

• bleeding between regular periods;

• unusual vaginal bleeding;

• bleeding that appears after intercourse or a gynecological examination;

• bleeding after menopause;

• longer and more profuse bleeding;

• abundant vaginal discharge;

• pain during intercourse;

• pain in the lower abdomen.

However, it should be remembered that cervical cancer does not cause symptoms at first, so it is very important to have regular tests.

Cervical cancer prevention methods

The most important thing in the prevention of cervical cancer is regular examinations.

They make it possible to detect both precancerous lesions and the cancer itself at an early stage. Thanks to the diagnosis obtained early, we are able to significantly increase our chances of full recovery. Moreover, the risk of developing the disease increases with age, which means that women between the ages of 35 and 59 should take particular care to have regular examinations. Primary prophylaxis methods, i.e. HPV vaccination, are also very effective. According to the recommendations of the Mayo Clinic, not only girls and young women, but also boys and young men should be vaccinated.

What tests are done to detect cervical cancer?

It is recommended that gynecological follow-up visits should be made at least once a year. This visit usually includes 4 types of examinations: palpation, transvaginal ultrasound, cytology and breast examination. During each of these stages, it is possible to detect changes responsible for the development of not only cervical cancer, but also breast and ovarian cancer. In the case of cervical cancer, cytology is most effective. What is cytology? To perform this examination, the doctor uses a special brush to collect the vaginal swab and then apply it to the slide. In the next step, the collected sample is sent to the cytology laboratory. Cytology is completely painless and safe for the patient.

How else can you help yourself?

In addition to the above-mentioned methods, the prevention of cervical cancer should include avoiding factors contributing to the development of cancer, which include, among others, smoking tobacco. An appropriate diet is also important – in the case of women, it should be rich in antioxidants, i.e. compounds such as vitamins A, E and folic acid. As researchers from the National Cancer Center in South Korea prove, providing patients with appropriate dose of antioxidants significantly slows down the formation of oxidative stress, which is one of the causes of cancer cell development. In conclusion, in order to avoid the development of cervical cancer, you should regularly visit the gynecologist and perform cytology. However, if you want to additionally support the body, it is worth taking care of a balanced diet and leading the healthiest lifestyle possible.