This is an Effort to Prevent and How to Detect Cervical Cancer

Not only breast cancer, cervical cancer is also one of the dangerous diseases that women should be aware of. It is important to know how to prevent and how to detect cervical cancer as early as possible. Cervical cancer is cancer that is found in the cervix or cervix. Generally, this quite deadly disease occurs due to infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). The most spread of HPV through sexual contact. Many found in women aged between 20-50 years.

Vaccinations and Other Prevention Measures

To prevent cervical cancer, the first thing you can do is to vaccinate HPV as early as possible before being sexually active. Vaccination is carried out mainly to prevent infections from the types of HPV that most cause cancer, namely HPV-16 and HPV-18. In addition to vaccination, other ways that can be done to prevent cervical cancer, including:

• Safe sex

Having safe sex using a condom can be done to reduce the risk of getting infected with HPV. Also avoid sexual relations by changing partners so that the risk of contracting HPV infection can be minimized.

• Avoid smoking

Women who smoke have a 3-4 times greater risk of developing cervical cancer. This is likely because smoking makes the immune system weak against the HPV virus. In addition, the content of carcinogens (cancer causing) found in cigarettes can also make the HPV virus activity in the cervix to be increased. The HPV virus can also move more quickly to cervical cells.

• Eat healthy food

The adoption of a healthy diet can be a step to reduce the risk of getting cancer, including cervical cancer. Consumption of healthy foods can be started by eating lots of fruits and vegetables every day. Also avoid foods that contain high calories and consumption of processed meat to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

• Maintain ideal body weight

In addition to preventing cervical cancer, maintaining weight can also reduce the risk of other types of cancer. Maintaining an ideal body weight can be done by getting used to doing physical activity or regular exercise. For example, walking about 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week.

Detecting Cervical Cancer Early

Detecting cervical cancer as early as possible is part of an effort to prevent the fatal consequences of cervical cancer. To see cells that might develop into cancer, doctors will recommend regular pap smears at least every 2 years after a woman turns 21 years old. Pap smear examination as a way to detect cervical cancer, is recommended every three years for women aged 25-49 years. Then at the age of 50-64, checks are carried out every five years. Women over the age of 65 years, should only be done pap smear if there are indications of certain disorders of the cervix and the surrounding area, or have not been examined since the age of 50 years. Not only pap smears, there are several other tests that can be used to detect cervical cancer including:

• Colposcopy

This test will usually be recommended by a doctor if there are abnormal results from a pap smear test. The test, which uses a special device called a colposcope, will examine the cervix, vagina and vulva. If at the time of the colposcopy test found abnormalities, then a small sample of tissue will be taken for examination in the laboratory.

• Schiller Test

The Schiller test is done by applying iodine solution to the patient's cervix. This test is useful to find out the abnormal tissue contained in the cervix. If the cell is healthy, it will be brown. Meanwhile, abnormal cells tend to be white or yellow.

• Endocervical Curettage (Endocervical Curettage / ECC)

Endocervical curettage examination is done to check the part of the cervix that is not reachable during a colposcopy test. By using a special tool shaped like a small spoon, the unreachable layer of the channel, the endocervix (the inside of the cervix) will be slightly eroded in order to obtain an examination sample.

• Cone biopsy (cone biopsy)

This medical procedure is carried out by taking tissue samples found in the cervix. Tissue samples that have been taken will be shaped like a cone, and will be examined using a microscope to find out more about the abnormal tissue. During the cone biopsy process, medical personnel may provide anesthesia or anesthesia so that patients do not feel pain during the biopsy process.

• Punch biopsy

Using a circular knife, the doctor will remove the required tissue samples. This can be done several times in the area around the cervix.

Symptoms of cervical cancer may not be felt immediately in the early or precancerous stages. The possibility of new symptoms will appear after cervical cancer has developed. Symptoms of cervical cancer that must be aware of, such as bleeding during sex or after menopause and menstruation, vaginal discharge that contains blood and foul smelling, experiencing pelvic pain or pain during intercourse. Consult a doctor immediately if you feel these symptoms, and do an examination to detect cervical cancer.