The cervix is the narrow neck of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer occurs when cervical cells become abnormal and begin to grow uncontrollably.
The cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most are low-risk types but have a negligible risk of causing cervical cancer. However, high-risk types can cause the development of abnormal cells that can lead to cervical cancer. In fact, most cases of cervical cancer are caused by two types of HPV (HPV 16 and 18). These two types are found in approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases.
It is the 2nd most common type of cancer in women under the age of 45 worldwide and the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths after breast and lung cancer. Every 2 minutes around the world, a woman dies from cervical cancer. Although screening programs have had a significant impact on reducing cervical cancer, women still die from cervical cancer. Most cervical cancers are seen in women in the 35-55 age group.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
It usually does not cause any symptoms in the initial stage. This reveals the importance of having regular smear tests. Usually the first complaints are spotting after intercourse. Bloody, foul-smelling discharge and irregular bleeding are also common. Complaints only begin when the cancer reaches a certain size. The important thing here is to treat the cancer before it reaches this stage. Only in this way can a full recovery be possible.
Can Cervical Cancer be Prevented, what can be done for this?
Having a screening test and the most common HPV types It is one of the most preventable types of cancer due to the availability of a vaccine against it. In preventing this cancer; Risk factors and ways to avoid them should be known, and regular pelvic examination and screening smear tests should be performed. Screening tests are used to recognize signs of cancer in people who have no symptoms. Screening for cervical cancer is highly successful. The best way to catch cervical cancer early is to have regular smear tests. In the smear test, cells taken from the cervix are examined under a microscope by a pathologist. They are evaluated in terms of whether they are suspicious or not. These pre-cancerous changes can be treated and cancer development can be prevented.
Quitting smoking, living monogamously and using condoms during sexual intercourse will reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Who should be screened and how often?
Sexually active women over the age of 18 should have a smear test once a year. If a new method, liquid-based cytology, is used, this number may increase to once every two years. The liquid-based cytology method is more successful in detecting pre-cancerous cells. The best way to decide at what intervals the smear test should be done is to talk to your doctor and prepare a special follow-up program for you according to your personal risk factors.
How is the smear test done?
It is a painless and simple test. Most patients do not even realize that a smear is taken during the examination. It is not done unless it is necessary during the menstrual period. Smear test helps detect cervical cancer or the stages before cancer occurs.
It should be known that; Smear results reported as "No cancer or precancerous lesions" may not mean that these changes do not actually occur in the patient. As with every test, false negativity may occur in the smear test. Therefore, it is very important to have a smear test regularly.
What is the Cervical Cancer Vaccine?
Since cervical cancer is often associated with HPV types 16 and 18, vaccines It was developed to protect women from HPV infection. There are dual vaccines that protect only against cancer and quadruple vaccines that protect against both cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is most effective when administered to people who have not yet started sexual intercourse. In the USA, these vaccines are approved for use starting from the age of 9. Vaccinations; It also provides protection against precancerous lesions caused by HPV types. It should be noted that the vaccine is not effective against all cancer-causing HPV types, so regular smear tests are also necessary for vaccinated people.
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