Cancers of the female reproductive system are one of the most common types of cancer in women. Cervical cancer comes second after breast cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Especially with its insidious progression and not causing any symptoms for many years This disease, which can lead to death due to delayed treatment, is an indicator of the importance of screening for cancer in women. Regular Pap smear testing in women of reproductive age can almost completely prevent the devastating problems that cervical cancer can cause. For this reason, regular gynecological screenings should be done in all women, young or old, and immediate intervention should be made in case of any problem. Mainly sexually active women aged 30 to 45 are at high risk. Studies have proven that cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women. Although it is an effective treatment and a preventable type of cancer, it is the gynecological cancer that causes the most deaths in the world.
Research shows that almost 500,000 women are diagnosed with this cancer annually. It has been determined that cervical cancer is more common in underdeveloped or developing countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, plays a role in almost all diseases. Therefore, polygamy causes an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Sexual relations that start at an early age are another reason that increases the risk. There is a vaccine developed to protect against HPV infection. This vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer. There are 2 different types of cervical cancer according to the type of cell in which the cancer starts. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for almost 80% to 90% of all cervical cancers. This type of cancer occurs in cells in the outer surface lining of the cervix. Adenocarcinoma accounts for 10% to 20% of all cervical cancers. If this type of cancer It begins in the glandular cells lining the lower birth canal. Other types of cancer are very rare.
What are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
Early-stage cervical cancer often does not show any symptoms. Symptoms that occur in the late stages can be confused with pain during menstrual periods and urinary tract infections if not taken care of. Among the most common late-stage symptoms are:
- Unusual bleeding despite being in menopause,
- Vaginal discharge that is unusual and smelly,
- In the pelvis pains occurring,
- The need to urinate more often and urinary incontinence,
- Burning and pain while urinating,
- Bleeding and pain occurring outside of menstrual days,
- Longer than normal and heavy menstrual bleeding,
- Bleeding after intercourse, douching or pelvic examination,
- Intense pain during sexual intercourse,
- Unexplained and persistent low back and back pain.
What Are the Causes of Cervical Cancer?
Cervical Cancer Cancer occurs as a result of changes in the DNA of healthy cells in the cervix. Healthy cells grow and multiply at a certain rate, and after a certain time they die. Cells that have mutated, that is, their DNA has changed, grow uncontrollably and do not die when necessary. These abnormal cells accumulating in the cervix form a mass, or tumor. Cancer cells spread to other tissues with this growth and spread rate. dr. Thus, the resulting tumor can also metastasize. The exact cause of cervical cancer has not been determined.
However, it is known that HPV infection plays a major role in this cancer. HPV can be transmitted during sexual intercourse with a woman or a man. There are over 100 types of HPV, most of which are harmless. However, some of these types cause abnormal changes in the cervical cells and as a result lead to cervical cancer. HPV 16 and HPV 18 types are known to be responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. There are no indications that these species are present in the womb. Therefore, women cannot tell whether they have this HPV type or not.
Some birth control methods, such as using condoms, offer minimal protection against HPV. However, the virus is not always transmitted through the genitals. Because it has been determined as a result of research that the virus spreads very easily from skin to skin. To protect against HPV, girls aged 12-13 have been vaccinated upon request since 2008.
How to Diagnose Cervical Cancer?
Pap Smear for diagnosis of cervical cancer The test is applied. It is recommended that this test be performed 3 years after the first sexual intercourse or from the age of 21. It is recommended that women who have not yet passed the age of 30 have a Pap Smear Test once a year to prevent cancer. If over the age of 30, this test should be applied three times a year. In order for the test to give a successful result, approximately 15 days must have passed since the start of the last menstrual period. Also, you should not have sexual intercourse for 2 days before the test. It is important to clean the vagina meticulously.
If there is a vaginal infection, the test should not be done before the treatment of this infection. During the test, no substance should be applied to the vagina. When starting the Pap Smear test, an examination instrument is inserted into the vagina so that the cervix is visible. After this stage, a sample cell is taken from the cervix with the help of a special small brush. Cervical cell samples taken are examined under a microscope in the laboratory environment and pathological analysis is made. As a result of this analysis, it is determined whether there is an abnormality in the cell samples taken. a is looked at.
If no abnormality is observed, the test result is negative. If an abnormal condition is detected, a biopsy can also be performed after positive results. Treatment should be started immediately after positive results.
What are the Treatment Methods for Cervical Cancer?
If cervical cancer is diagnosed in the early stages with Pap Smear test, its treatment is usually surgical intervention. possible with The success rate of cancer treatment started in the early stages is very high. If it is diagnosed in the late stages, it can be successfully controlled with correct and appropriate treatment. Depending on the level of cancer, the uterus may need to be removed, but this is not always the case.
The name of the surgical intervention to remove the uterus is called hysterectomy. Radiotherapy can also be applied to women with early-stage cervical cancer. In some cases, both surgical intervention and chemotherapy can be used together. In more advanced cervical cancers, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are generally used in combination. In order to increase the quality of life of patients and their families, pain-reducing and relaxing drugs, psychiatric treatment, and palliative care including spiritual and physical support are provided. Palliative care must be integrated with cancer treatment and must be accessible to the patient. Because financial and moral support has a very important place in all cancer treatments. With the sensitivity you will show about your routine controls, you can take precautions against serious health problems that you may encounter in the future and lead a healthier life. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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