Cervical cancer has become the fourth largest cancer affecting women's health worldwide. In recent years, cervical cancer has become increasingly prevalent among young women. As the leading cancer in the female reproductive tract, people often feel scared when they hear about it. However, it is actually preventable, controllable, and treatable. We think it is scary because we do not understand its dangers. Cervical cancer is one of the common female malignant tumors, which occurs in the cervix (the opening of the uterus) and is a gynecological malignant tumor. Once women suffer from cervical cancer, their quality of life and health status will be seriously threatened. Since 2020, the incidence rate and mortality rate of cervical cancer in China have been on the rise, and the incidence rate and mortality rate of women aged 15-44 are in the third place.
The etiology of cervical cancer
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are related to persistent infection with HPV (high-risk human papillomavirus). HPV is one of the common viruses in human infection, mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse. Almost all men and women have been infected with HPV, and HPV infection generally has no symptoms or signs, but most do not require treatment and usually clears naturally within 2 to 3 years. There is no need to panic. In a small number of women, HPV infection will persist and develop into cervical cancer.
Women who engage in sexual activity too early, have multiple sexual partners, have weakened immune systems, suffer from sexually transmitted diseases, take oral contraceptives for a long time, smoke, suffer from malnutrition, etc., are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
Pay attention to these signals!
Main pathogenic factors: Persistent infection with high-risk HPV.
Other high-risk factors:
1. Multiple sexual partners, first-time sexual activity<16 years old; 2. Early marriage, early childbirth, and multiple pregnancies; 3. Autoimmune diseases or long-term immunosuppressants (such as organ transplant patients requiring long-term oral immunosuppressants); 4. Oral contraceptives; 5. Suffering from other sexually transmitted diseases; 6. Have long-term bad habits such as smoking, drug abuse, and alcoholism.
What are the screening items for cervical cancer? What should I pay attention to?
Cervical screening includes cervical TCT (cervical liquid based cytology) and HPV testing.
Before cervical cancer screening, it is important to avoid the menstrual period as much as possible (excluding abnormal bleeding), preferably within 3-7 days after the end of menstruation; Avoid the acute inflammatory phase of the cervix; In addition, try to avoid sexual intercourse, vaginal flushing, and vaginal medication 2-3 days before screening.
The significance of cervical cancer screening results
Cervical cancer screening includes three types: cytology and HPV combined screening, cytology initial screening, and HPV initial screening. Those who are negative for both cytology and high-risk HPV have a low risk of developing the disease, and the screening interval can be 3-5 years. Those who are negative for cytology but positive for high-risk HPV have an increased risk of developing the disease and can be re examined after 1 year. Vaginal colposcopy examination is performed for atypical squamous cell carcinoma (ASC-US) with no clear diagnostic significance and HPV positive or HPV16/HPV18 positive.
Does HPV infection necessarily lead to cervical cancer?
HPV infection ≠ cervical cancer!
In a woman's lifetime, she is almost always exposed to or infected with HPV, but HPV infection does not necessarily mean that she will develop cervical cancer. After being infected with HPV, the immune system of most women can clear the HPV infection within one year. Only a small number of women who continue to be infected with high-risk HPV are likely to develop cervical precancerous lesions.
A small portion of patients with precancerous lesions may further develop irreversible cervical invasive cancer, and this evolutionary process can last for 5-10 years.
Prevention of cervical cancer
1. Eat more foods containing folic acid. We know that foods containing folic acid can prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer, because if women lack folic acid in their bodies, it may cause fetal developmental abnormalities during pregnancy, which increases the probability of women developing cervical cancer. Therefore, women should supplement with folic acid in their daily lives and eat more foods rich in this substance, such as animal liver, fish, eggs, soy products, etc.
2. Maintain a healthy sexual lifestyle. It is recommended that women avoid promiscuity in their daily lives and avoid having multiple sexual partners. Changing sexual partners frequently can increase the risk of developing sexual diseases; Be sure to clean your private parts during sexual activity, as unhealthy sexual activity can also increase the risk of cervical cancer.
3. Prevent inflammatory diseases in the vagina or cervix. In clinical practice, there are many inflammatory diseases, such as trichomonas and other bacterial infections, which require female friends to pay attention to personal hygiene, especially private hygiene.
4. Regular physical examinations. Mainly about gynecological examinations, if early cervical cancer can be detected and treated in a timely manner, it can greatly improve the survival rate of patients. Women are reminded to regularly go to the hospital for physical examinations, especially gynecological examinations, to effectively prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer.
5. Female friends must pay attention to the hygiene and care of their private parts in daily life, pay attention to sexual hygiene, develop a healthy lifestyle, and have good personal hygiene habits, such as not smoking, not drinking excessively, and exercising appropriately. They should also know how to avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods in their diet, so as not to lower their own resistance and avoid the invasion of diseases.