Know How to Recognize and Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cancer is a malignant tumor disease that can spread (metastasize) to other organs and cause death. Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb) – the lower area of ​​the uterus that connects the uterus and vagina.

What causes cervical cancer?

• Oncogenic HPV infection in women
• Infected women have risk factors

HPV is a relatively small papilloma virus—there are only two strands of DNA in one circular cell, or envelope, which resembles a golf ball when magnified with an electron microscope.

How can a woman be infected with the HPV virus?

Most are mostly through sexual contact, this is evidenced by the majority of HPV transmission occurs due to direct skin-to-skin contact with the sufferer. Similarly, objects contaminated with the HPV virus. Sexual intercourse is also one of the means of transmitting this virus to the genitals. For example, through direct contact with genital skin, mucous membranes, exchange of body fluids, and oral or anal sex.

Estimation of cervical cancer cases

Worldwide Every 1 minute 1 new case, Every 2 minutes 1 death. Indonesia Every day 41 new cases, Every day 20 deaths

The magnitude of the problem of cervical cancer

• Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the world
• Most cancer in women in Indonesia
• Affected by > 1.4 million women worldwide
• Often comes to the hospital late
• >460,000 cases/year and fatal, because it causes death in 50% of cases

Facts about Cervical Cancer

• Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Only suffered by women who have had sexual intercourse
• The development of the disease takes a long time, between 10-20 years
• In the precancerous phase and in the early stages it does not cause symptoms
• Can be prevented!

How to Prevent Cervical Cancer?

• Whenever possible, avoid Risk Factors!
• Check yourself regularly, at least once a year for cervical cancer screening tests (Pap test, IVA test- visual inspection with acetic acid application, HPV test)
• HPV Immunization

Cervical Cancer Screening Examination

• The HPV test can detect the presence of high-risk HPV infections that cause cervical cancer
• The Pap test, the IVA test, can detect the condition of the cervical epithelium that has the potential to turn into cancer (detects epithelial changes in the precancerous phase- before it becomes cervical cancer)
• When found in the precancerous phase, treatment success is close to 100 percent!

If you have any questions regarding the virus, immediately consult an obgyn specialist at the nearest health facility.