International Women’s Day
Cervical cancer and Prevention
Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common type of cancer worldwide among women of age 15-44 years and the 3rd most common cause of cancer death after breast and lung cancer.
In Europe more than 50.000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and almost 25.000 die from this cause.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix. The cervix is the the lower portion of the uterus and connects the uterus to the vagina.
How is cervical cancer caused?
Studies indicate that cervical cancer is caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus Virus) infection.
What is HPV?
It is a member of a family of viruses that includes more than 100 different types. It is typically transmitted through sexual contact and it is estimated that 80% of women are infected at least once in their life time.
The majority of women develop antibodies that fight HPV infection. Nevertheless, in 20-30% of cases of infected women the virus persists causing pre-cancerous lessions. In 1% of these cases the virus may progress to cancer many years after the initial infection especially if it is not detected early.
Can cervical cancer be prevented or detected early?
The answer is positive; cervical cancer can be both prevented and detected early.
Women, after having started their sexual life, should visit their gynecologist and have yearly check-ups including a Papanicolaou test (Pap test).
A Pap smear test is an easy, quick and bloodless test that detects abnormal lessions which may develop into cancer. It certainly constitutes our “weapon” for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer.
A Pap test should occur between the 10th and 20th day of the menstrual cycle and should be not performed during menstruation. A woman should also avoid having a vaginal douche, taking vaginal drugs or having a sexual intercourse 48 hours prior the test, as the results may be affected.
Can the Pap test detect all types of genital organ cancers?
The female genital organ cancers include ovarian cancer, vulvar cancer, endometrial cancer and uterine cancer. The Pap test can’t detect these types of cancer. Therefore, the yearly gynecological check-ups are strongly recommended.
HPV Vaccine
HPV vaccine is artificially developed by very small parts of the human papillomavirus (HPV) to produce antibodies against the virus. Therefore, women, who get vaccinated, develop immunity and the chances of being infected by the dangerous types of the virus and develop cervical cancer are minimized.
According to several studies, HPV vaccine works best when given to female adolescents before starting their sexual life. It is recommended that all girls, who are 11 to 12 years old, should be vaccinated.
The vaccine is given as shots and requires 3 doses. The second dose should be given two months after the first and the third dose six months after the first one.
No serious side effects of the vaccine have been reported.
Are there any another precautions I should take?
Apart from the yearly gynecological check-ups, a gynecologist should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
• Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods and after menopause
• Unusual and continuous vaginal discharge foul-smelling
• Sudden and quick abdominal inflation accompanied by general symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomit
• Strong itching of the genital organs, vulvar bleeding, fattening and hardening of the skin.
