Among the thousands of health issues that haunt women and, unfortunately, have been increasing at an alarming rate in Brazil, cervical cancer is one of the diseases that most affects women and is also a leading cause of death. Cervical cancer, also known in medicine as cervical carcinoma, is a disease that primarily affects women over the age of 25 and has symptoms and a slow progression, often remaining silent in many cases. The disease can take years to develop, but it can be easily detected during a preventive exam with the gynecologist. That’s why it’s important to have regular exams to maintain good health and, if anything is found, to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Statistics show that when the disease is diagnosed and treated early, before it becomes malignant, treatment can achieve a 100% cure rate. As the disease progresses, it is common for women to experience heavy bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, and local or abdominal pain. The main cause of cervical cancer is infection by the HPV virus, or Human Papillomavirus, which is strongly linked to early onset of sexual activity, a high number of sexual partners, smoking, poor intimate hygiene, and, of course, a weakened immune system.
How to Prevent Cervical Cancer?
As we mentioned earlier, the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to have regular preventive exams, also known as the Pap smear test. In this test, secretions from the cervix are collected using a spatula and placed on a glass slide, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
The Pap smear is recommended for all sexually active women, especially those between 25 and 59 years old, which is the risk age group for the disease. A common concern among women is whether the exam will be painful. However, the exam is considered simple and painless; at most, you may feel some discomfort. Of course, this also depends on the care and technique of the doctor performing the procedure. Being relaxed during the process also helps make the exam quicker and painless.
You should pick up the result on the date given by your doctor and follow the instructions provided. If any abnormality is detected, the doctor may request a new test for confirmation or a more detailed exam to start the treatment appropriately. Remember, the sooner cervical cancer is detected and treatment is started, the better, faster, and more effective the outcome. If the result is negative, the Pap smear should only be repeated the following year for a new checkup.
Currently, the HPV vaccine is available for free at health clinics and is also considered a form of cervical cancer prevention. However, it is only available for the recommended risk age group of 9 to 13 years old, though it can be requested at private clinics at an average cost of R$200.00. Since the HPV vaccine is a recent development, it is still much debated and feared among parents and health professionals, facing many criticisms and being linked to reports of serious side effects, including cases of patients becoming vegetative after taking the doses. Even though this is a widely discussed topic, these claims have not yet been proven or ruled out.
Every woman should take care of herself, love herself, and think about the future. This includes taking care of one’s health. Using a condom during sexual intercourse helps prevent infections caused by HPV and many other sexually transmitted diseases. Regular visits to the gynecologist and routine exams are also essential for maintaining good health.
See also: Lump in the Breast – Could It Be Cancer?
Photo: Tatiana Reis
