Every year, more than 270,000 women die from cervical cancer. According to statistics, 85% of deaths occur in countries with low and medium living standards. A terrible disease can be avoided if you start taking preventive measures in time. But even with a disease that has already started, it is possible to cope if it is detected at an early stage.
Causes of cervical cancer
The main causes of RSM are:
- human papilloma virus (HPV). The majority of sexually active women are infected with this virus;
- starting sexual life before the age of 16;
- cervical injuries during childbirth;
- smoking.
Most often, RSM is detected in women after the age of 40.
Symptoms of the disease
Unfortunately, most often the disease is detected in the second and third stages, in an already advanced state. A sign of an advanced stage of PCOS can be the appearance of bloody discharge, especially after intercourse or between periods. At the same time, symptoms may include pain in the back and legs, swelling of the legs, blood in the urine.
Important! The initial stages of the disease and precancerous conditions can be asymptomatic, but they can be easily detected during a gynecological examination. Therefore, it is important to undergo regular examination by a gynecologist. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment!
For accurate diagnosis, experienced obstetrician-gynecologists of the ""Dobrobut"" medical network use cytological examination of smears from the cervix, video colposcopy, PCR diagnosis and histological examination of cervical tissue. If necessary, an ultrasound examination is performed, X-ray examination methods and magnetic resonance imaging are used.
Prevention of cervical cancer
There are primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of cervical cancer.
Primary prevention measures include:
- vaccination of girls aged 9-13 against HPV (vaccines are most effective if administered before contact with the virus);
- sanitary and educational measures;
- warnings about the harm of smoking;
- use of condoms.
70% of cases of RSM in the world are caused by two types of HPV (16 and 18). In most countries, including Ukraine, two vaccines are used, which prevent 95% of cases of infection with both types of HPV. One of the vaccines also prevents infection with human papilloma viruses of the sixth and eleventh types, which cause the appearance of acute condylomas.
The ""Dobrobut"" medical network carries out vaccinations for girls and women to protect against cervical cancer.
Secondary prevention includes:
- cytological examination;
- detection of highly oncogenic types of HPV;
- treatment of inflammatory gynecological diseases;
- treatment of cervical dysplasia.
It is important to know that cervical dysplasia is an intermediate stage between the normal condition of the cervix and cancer. The disease has mild, moderate and severe forms. Mild and moderate degrees of dysplasia are treated by gynecologists in polyclinics and gynecological hospitals, and severe degrees of dysplasia are treated in oncology clinics and hospitals.
Timely detection and treatment of cervical dysplasia prevents the transition of the disease to cancer.
Tertiary prevention uses surgical treatment of cervical cancer, radiation and chemotherapy.
Be attentive to the state of your women's health. After all, it is better to prevent cervical cancer than to cope with the consequences of difficult oncological treatment. Women over the age of 18 or from the beginning of sexual life must undergo a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year.
To receive information about treatment and make an appointment, call the contact center of MM ""Dobrobut"": 044 495 2 888 or 097 495 2 888.
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