If you are infected with HPV, are you still far from cervical cancer? Do these 5 things to effectively prevent cervical cancer!

Talking about cervical cancer

Is HPV the first thing that comes to your mind?

(Human Papillomavirus)

That's right

Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV

Malignant tumors of the cervical epithelium

It is also one of the most common gynecological malignancies.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 340,000 women worldwide die from cervical cancer each year .

Many people don’t know that through early screening, cervical precancerous lesions can actually be detected and treated in a timely manner, thereby reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer .

So, what are the screening methods for cervical cancer? Will HPV infection definitely lead to cervical cancer? How can we prevent it?

Primary screening

HPV test : It can screen the presence of HPV virus infection and its typing in cervical cells.

TCT (cervical cytology test): Collect cervical cell samples and observe the possibility of cervical intraepithelial lesions or cancer through pathological histological examination.

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Advanced Screening

Colposcopy : The doctor applies acetic acid or iodine tincture to the vagina and cervix to magnify the surface structure of the vagina and cervix and check for lesions that are invisible to the naked eye.

Final diagnosis

Histopathological examination : Biopsy of suspicious tissue is the gold standard for diagnosing cervical cancer.

The target population for cervical cancer screening is mainly adult women with a history of sexual life .

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In general, the frequency and method of screening will vary depending on age and specific circumstances:

1. Screening starting age : 25 years old female.

2. Women aged 25 to 64 : After three consecutive years of negative test results, HPV nucleic acid testing alone or combined screening can be performed every five years; or cytology examination can be performed every three years.

3. Screening termination age : Women over 65 years old who have sufficient negative screening records in the past (i.e., three consecutive cytology screenings within 10 years, or two consecutive HPV screenings or combined screenings, and the most recent screening was within 5 years, and the screening results were all normal), and who do not have high-risk factors such as CIN, persistent HPV infection, and no history of treatment for HPV-related diseases, can terminate screening.

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However , people over 65 who have never been screened, or who do not have a sufficient negative screening record in the 10 years before the age of 65, or who have clinical indications still need to undergo cervical cancer screening .

Not necessarily! Being HPV positive does not mean you will definitely get cervical cancer.

For most people, HPV infection will be cleared by the human immune system within a period of time. Only a few persistent infections with high-risk HPV may lead to cervical precancerous lesions and then develop into cervical cancer .

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Therefore, we should have regular check-ups for early detection and treatment .

HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of cervical cancer, but it cannot guarantee that you will not be infected with HPV or develop cervical cancer.

HPV vaccines can only prevent specific HPV subtypes and do not cover all types of HPV.

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Therefore, women who receive the HPV vaccine still need to undergo cervical cancer screening according to the schedule recommended by their doctor .

The key to preventing cervical cancer is to strengthen the prevention and control of HPV infection . Do these 5 things to effectively prevent cervical cancer!

1

HPV vaccination

This is the first step in preventing cervical cancer, and women of appropriate age are recommended to actively receive HPV vaccination .

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2

Get regular cervical cancer screening

Cervical precancerous lesions can be detected and treated in a timely manner , thereby reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

3

Develop good living habits

Maintaining good living habits such as adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and proper exercise can help improve the body's immunity and resist HPV infection.

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4

Raising sexual health awareness

Maintain a single sexual partner and avoid unclean sexual behavior to reduce the risk of HPV infection.

5

Seek medical attention promptly in case of abnormal conditions

If you experience irregular menstruation, unexplained vaginal bleeding or other abnormal conditions, go to the hospital immediately for treatment.

Cervical cancer is scary

But as long as we take active measures to prevent and screen regularly

Reduce the incidence of cervical cancer

Let’s start now

Protect women's health!

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

Author

References

[1] SUNG H, FERLAY J, SIEGEL RL, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries [J]. CA Cancer J Clin, 2021, 71(3): 209-249.

[2] Li Mingzhu, Wei Lihui, Sui Long, et al. Chinese cervical cancer screening guidelines (I) [J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2023, 24(04): 437-442. DOI: 10.13390/j.issn.1672-1861.2023.04.029.

Content Production

Editor: Yang Yali

Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty