Early Detection as an Effort to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cancer or cervical cancer occurs due to infection with the HPV virus (human papillomavirus) which is usually spread through sexual intercourse. Cervical cancer is quite deadly and often causes no symptoms at first, but when they appear, the symptoms are often mistaken for menstrual symptoms or a urinary tract infection.

Common symptoms experienced by cervical cancer sufferers are bleeding during sex or after menopause and menstruation, vaginal discharge that contains blood and has a foul smell, pelvic pain and pain during intercourse.

Cervical cancer is a cancer that can be avoided and the incidence rate reduced by taking preventive measures so that it does not have a fatal impact. The following are efforts that can be taken to prevent cervical cancer:

• Primary Prevention Efforts

Primary prevention is carried out to prevent contact with carcinogens or the main cause of cervical cancer (HPV virus) through promotional or educational activities, such as outreach activities or health education in the community to lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid risk factors for cancer, carry out immunization with the HPV vaccine and others.

• Secondary Prevention Efforts

This effort is carried out by screening/early detection and therapy of precancerous lesions and early invasive lesions. Detecting cervical cancer as early as possible is also part of efforts to prevent more serious impacts.

Here are several ways to detect cervical cancer early:

IVA (Visual Inspection of Acetic Acid)

IVA  is a simple way to detect cervical cancer as early as possible. This examination  is usually cheaper, more practical, and easier to carry out with simple equipment and can also be carried out by non-gynecologists, such as in community health centers. The aim of IVA examination is to reduce the morbidity of the disease by early treatment of cases found to identify abnormalities in the cervix.

Requirements for Taking the IVA Test

• Have you ever had sexual relations?
• Not menstruating/menstruating
• Not pregnant
• Do not have intimate relations for at least 24 hours before the examination

PAP SMEAR

A Pap smear is a procedure to detect cervical (cervix) cancer in women. A Pap smear can also find abnormal cells (precancerous cells) in the cervix that can develop into cancer. Screening using the pap smear method is carried out to see cell changes from normal, pre-cancerous to cancer. A Pap smear is performed by taking a sample of cells in the cervix. After that, the cell sample will be examined in the laboratory to find out whether the sample contains precancerous cells or cancer cells. Pap smears can also be used to detect infection or inflammation of the cervix. The pap smear method requires an anatomic pathology specialist to carry out the assessment.

HPV DNA test

HPV DNA examination is a procedure to detect high-risk types of HPV (human papilloma virus) infection in women such as women who suffer from HIV, have a weak immune system, were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth, had high levels of abnormal results (precancerous lesions). on pap smears. HPV infection can trigger abnormal changes in cervical cells that have the potential to become cervical cancer or other types of cancer, such as vaginal cancer and anal cancer. HPV DNA examination is carried out by taking a sample of cells from the cervix. The sample will be examined in a laboratory to determine whether there is genetic material (DNA) from HPV in the cervical cells. The HPV test is much more sensitive than papsmea and is carried out using the PCR method so it is more accurate. This test can be done every 3 years if the results are negative

Cervical cancer can be prevented by routinely carrying out early detection. And if Hermina's friends still want to be healthy and avoid the dangers of cervical cancer, of course Hermina's friends must always maintain a healthy lifestyle and start caring about themselves by carrying out early detection or early screening to find out their current health conditions. And don't be afraid to see a doctor, because the sooner you know, the sooner appropriate treatment can be taken.