Cervical cancer, which is the 4th most common cancer among women in the world, has been spreading rapidly in recent years. However, it is possible to protect against cervical cancer, which is faced by more than 500 thousand women every year and half of them die, with vaccines! Since HPV vaccination and early diagnosis are of vital importance in cervical cancer, society’s attention is drawn to cervical cancer in January every year in order to raise awareness all over the world.
Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine Head of Gynecology and Obstetrics Department and Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecological Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Mete Gungor, cervical cancer the most important reason; Stating that it is the sexually transmitted Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), “The presence of HPV has been shown in 99 percent of cancer cases. In addition, the onset of sexual activity at an early age and the use of multiple sexual partners and birth control pills can also cause this cancer. Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer. It is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed during routine screening. On the other hand, one should be very careful about some symptoms and if there are these complaints, even if it is a pandemic, a doctor should be consulted.
ORAL CANCER OCCURRED AFTER MENOPEASE: FALSE!
ACTUALLY: The cause of cervical cancer is HPV infection and the age group where HPV infection is most common is 24. Since cervical cancer can occur within 10-20 years after HPV infection, it can actually be seen frequently at young ages. Cervical cancer is not associated with menopause.
ORAL CANCER GIVES NO SYMPTOMS: FALSE!
ACTUALLY: Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecological Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Mete Güngör “Even though cervical cancer can progress insidiously and without symptoms until advanced stages; Some symptoms need to be very careful. Especially; Since complaints such as bleeding after intercourse, breakthrough bleeding, foul-smelling bloody discharge and groin pain can indicate cervical cancer, it is necessary not to hesitate to go to the hospital, especially during the current pandemic, and to consult a doctor. says.
AFTER HPV ENTERS THE BODY, IT DOESN’T CLEAN AGAIN: WRONG!
ACTUALLY: The immune system of our body clears the virus from our body by 90% within 2 years after HPV enters the body. After being cleared from the body, it can be infected again with the same or different types at different times of life. However, not all HPV viruses cause cancer. About 40 types of HPV cause infections in the genital area. Only 15 of these are high-risk HPV types that cause cancer. Especially Type 16 and Type 18 are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer. The other 13 high-risk types are responsible for the remaining cancers. Non-high-risk types do not cause cancer, and some only cause precancerous lesions and some only cause warts. Warts do not turn into cancer.
IF I TAKE THE SMEAR TEST FREQUENTLY, I WILL BE BETTER PROTECTED FROM CANCER: WRONG!
ACTUALLY: Smear tests start from the age of 21 and are done every 3 years until the age of 70. After the age of 30, the HPV test is done by adding it to the smear test (Co-test) or alone every 5 years. These periods may be shortened in abnormal results or in risky situations. In the absence of a risky situation, more frequent smear tests do not increase the chance of diagnosis, as well as cause unnecessary anxiety due to the possibility of error and cause unnecessary biopsy procedures.
DON’T WORK NOW, BECAUSE I HAVE HPV INFECTED: WRONG!
ACTUALLY: After the HPV virus is taken, it is largely cleared by the immune system within 2 years. We can get HPV again after cleansing. Therefore, the vaccine can be given to anyone up to the age of 45, whether or not they have had an HPV infection. Vaccine; It does not treat the existing HPV infection, it is done to prevent it. HPV vaccines are administered in 3 doses within a total of 6 months. After these 3 doses are done, it does not need to be repeated again. They provide lifetime protection against the HPV types found in vaccines. Vaccines can be given to both men and women between the ages of 9-45.
HAVING HPV INFECTION MEANS I WILL HAVE CANCER OF THE UTILITY: FALSE!
ACTUALLY: The presence of HPV does not mean that you will or will have cancer. After the HPV infection starts, 90 percent is cleared from your body within two years thanks to the immune system. The remaining 10 percent remains in our body. As long as the HPV virus remains in our body, it may not cause any disease. However, some of these make precancerous lesions and can turn into cervical cancer in about 15-20 years. In this process, it can be detected and treated without cancer thanks to screening programs.
ORAL CANCER IS GENETICALLY FROM FAMILY: WRONG!
ACTUALLY: The cause of cervical cancer is the sexually transmitted HPV virus. However, not everyone who gets this virus gets cancer. There is no familial transmission. Those with a family history of cervical cancer are not at extra risk.
ORAL CANCER IS A RARE CANCER: FALSE!
ACTUALLY: Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer among women in the world. Every year, there are more than 500,000 new cases and more than 300,000 deaths from this cancer all over the world. However, most of them are seen in underdeveloped countries, in countries where cancer screening programs are not well implemented. Cervical cancer is seen in more and more women in our country.
If the HPV test or smear test is defective, the uterus should be removed: WRONG!
FACT: A positive HPV test and a bad smear test does not mean that there is an abnormality or cancer in the cervix. Whether there is an abnormality is understood after the biopsy is done. Removal of the uterus does not eliminate the HPV infection. Removal of the uterus has a place only in the severe precancerous stages or if cancer is diagnosed.
HPV infection and cervical cancer are not seen in women who have only one sexual partner or who are married: FALSE!
ACTUALLY: The cause of cervical cancer is the HPV virus. This infection can be transmitted even if only one person and one sexual intercourse. It is not necessary to have multiple partners to get this infection. But a large number of partners only increases the chance of contracting HPV infection. Therefore, HPV infection and cervical cancer can be seen in every woman who has sexual intercourse. It is not possible to know from whom and when the HPV virus was acquired. Sometimes the virus stays silently inside cells for many years and its presence is not known until HPV testing is done.
What is the cervix? You can also check out our content on the subject.
#Cervix (Cervical Cancer)