Cervical cancer
In developing countries like Indonesia, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. In the world, every two minutes a woman dies from cervical cancer. So, do not longer see the threat of this disease in one eye. Here are 13 things you must know about cervical cancer.
1. What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer or cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervical region. Namely, the uterus located at the bottom, which opens to the vagina. Starting from the cervix, if it has entered the later stages, this cancer can spread to other organs throughout the body.
2. What causes cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is caused by HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). This virus has more than 100 types, where most of them are harmless and will disappear by itself. HPV virus types that cause cervical cancer and the most fatal consequence is the HPV virus types 16 and 18. However, other than caused by the HPV virus, abnormal cells on the cervix can also grow due to radiation exposure or contamination of chemicals that occur in the long term.
3. How does cervical cancer spread?
Transmission of HPV virus can occur through sexual intercourse, especially with multiple partners. Transmission of the virus can occur either by transmission through the genital organs to the genital organs, oral to genital, or manually to the genitals. Therefore, the use of condoms during intercourse does not significantly prevent transmission of HPV virus. For, not only transmitted through the fluid, the virus can move through the touch of skin.
4. What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
In the early stages, this disease does not cause symptoms that are easily observed. That's why, you are already sexually active highly recommended to do pap smear test every two years. Physical symptoms of this disease are generally only felt by patients with advanced cancer. Namely, the emergence of pain and bleeding during intercourse (contact bleeding), excessive vaginal discharge and abnormal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle and drastic weight loss. If the cancer has spread to the pelvis, then the patient will suffer from back pain complaints, the obstacles in urination, and kidney enlargement.
5. How do I detect cervical cancer?
A Pap smear is a standard examination method to detect cervical cancer. However, the pap smear is not the only ways you can do to detect this disease. There is also the type of inspection using acetic acid (vinegar), which is relatively easier and cheaper to do. If you want a more accurate result, there is now the latest examination techniques for early detection of cervical cancer, a technology called Hybrid Capture System II (HCII).
6. Can cervical cancer be prevented?
Although ranked highest among the various types of cancer that causes death, cervical cancer is the only species that have been known to cause cancer. Therefore, prevention efforts were highly likely to be done. By not having sex with a partner changing, diligently doing pap smears every two years for those already sexually active, maintain a healthy body, and make HPV vaccination for those who have never had contact sexually.
7. Should take HPV vaccination for cervical cancer?
In mid-2006 have been circulating vaccine preventing infection with HPV types 16 and 18 which cause cervical cancer. The vaccine works by increasing the body's immune and catch the virus before it enters cervical cells. In addition to fortify from cervical cancer, this vaccine is also working to protect women from the threat of multiple HPV types 6 and 11 that cause genital warts. What needs to be emphasized is that the vaccination is only effective when given to girls aged 9 to 26 years who has not been sexually active. The vaccine is given as much as 3 times within a certain period. With vaccination, the risk of cervical cancer can be decreased to 75%. There is good news, starting this year the price of the vaccine which was originally Rp 1,300,000, - once a syringe to Rp 700,000, - once a syringe.
8. Is this cervical cancer vaccine has side effects?
This vaccine has been tested on thousands of women worldwide. The results showed no harmful side effects. Side effects The most frequent complaints are fever and redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site. Side effects other frequently encountered are bleeding and itching at the injection site. The vaccine itself is not recommended for pregnant women. However, nursing mothers should receive this vaccine.
9. If already infected with cervical cancer, can be cured?
Since not complain about any symptoms, cervical cancer patients usually come to the hospital when the disease has reached stage 3. The problem is that cervical cancer has reached stage 2 to stage 4 have resulted in damage to body organs, such as bladder, kidney, and others. Therefore, surgical removal of the uterus alone is not enough to make the patient recover as usual. In addition to surgery, patients still have to obtain additional therapy, such as radiation and chemotherapy. Such a move is even unable to guarantee 100% of patients experienced healing.
10.Cervical cancer facts
Cervical cancer (cervix) women's # 1 killer disease in the world with 630 million people (WHO). Every day of cervical cancer claimed the lives of 600 women and 20 women in the world Indonesia (YKI). Attacking 50% of women aged 35-55 years, 50% more under 35 years old. In Indonesia, every day 41 women detected cervical cancer (YKI). Indonesia is the country with the highest cervical cancer insident in the world (WHO). Chances died when a woman is diagnosed is 66%.
11.Stage cervical cancer
Stadium1: limited to the cervical area
Stadium2: spread to the uterus, but has not spread to the pelvic wall or the bottom of the vagina
Stadium3: spread to the pelvic wall or the bottom of the vagina
Stadium4: spread to surrounding organs, such as bladder, rectum, lung, liver, or bone
I hope with the existence of this article can be useful for the reader, so that patients can be reduced.
Thank you
