What you need to know about cervical cancer prevention

Cervical cancer is the second largest killer of women, second only to breast cancer. But cervical cancer can be prevented. First, we need to raise public awareness of cervical cancer and conduct regular cervical cancer screening; second, girls of appropriate age should receive HPV vaccination; third, we need to change our lifestyle, strengthen physical exercise, enhance physical fitness, and reduce the occurrence of the disease.

1. Conduct cervical cancer screening regularly.

Regular cervical cancer screening can effectively help detect cervical cancer and precancerous lesions at an early stage, and provide effective management and timely treatment to avoid worsening of the disease.

Screening programs include cervical/vaginal cytology screening, HPV screening, especially high-risk HPV subtype screening.

The U.S. cervical cancer screening guidelines recommend that women aged 21-29 who have had sexual activity should undergo a cervical cancer smear screening every three years. Women aged 30-65 should undergo a cervical cancer smear screening every three years or an HPV screening every five years, or a combined cervical cancer smear and HPV screening every five years.

In view of the age characteristics of cervical cancer in my country, the "Guidelines for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer in China" recommends that the starting age for screening is 25-30 years old. Women over 65 years old do not need to continue screening if they have no abnormalities in three consecutive cervical smear screenings in the past 10 years or have two consecutive high-risk HPV (HPV-16, HPV-18) tests that are negative and have no history of precancerous lesions. In addition, women under 21 years old and women who have had their uterus or cervix removed do not need to be screened.

Screening precautions: Screening should be avoided during menstrual periods. Sexual intercourse is prohibited within 24 hours. Vaginal irrigation and medication are not allowed. The vulva should be kept clean. If precancerous lesions are found during screening, they should be properly treated under the guidance of a physician. Women with immune deficiencies should shorten the screening interval.

2. Get the HPV vaccine.

The vast majority of cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV (HPV-16, HPV-18). Vaccination with HPV vaccination can effectively reduce the incidence of persistent HPV infection and related diseases.

The World Health Organization recommends that the main population for HPV vaccine application is females aged 9-14 who have not had sexual intercourse, and females and males aged 15 and above are secondary populations. my country has launched two-valent, four-valent and nine-valent HPV vaccines. There are two domestically produced and one imported two-valent vaccines, and all four-valent and nine-valent vaccines are imported. You can get vaccinated according to your age, economic conditions and the advice of medical staff.

(I) Bivalent HPV vaccine. It can prevent HPV-18 and HPV-18, and can prevent 70% of cervical cancer. The vaccination schedule is 3 doses in 0, 1, and 6 months. The appropriate age is 9-45 years old women.

(II) Quadrivalent HPV vaccine. It can prevent HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16, and HPV-18, and can prevent 90% of cervical cancer. The vaccination schedule is 3 doses in 0, 2, and 6 months. The appropriate age is 9-45 years old women.

(III) Nine-valent HPV vaccine. It can prevent nine types of HPV, including HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31, HPV-33, HPV-45, HPV-52, and HPV-58, and can prevent more than 95% of cervical cancer. The vaccination schedule is three doses in January, February, and June. In the past, the nine-valent vaccine was approved for women aged 16-26. By the end of 2022, my country has approved the vaccination age for women aged 9-45.

All three HPV vaccines showed good safety in pre-market clinical trials, and long-term follow-up after marketing showed good protective effects.

Precautions for receiving HPV vaccine: First, there is no need for HPV testing before vaccination; second, those who are allergic to HPV vaccine or its ingredients are prohibited from vaccination; third, women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should postpone vaccination until the end of pregnancy; fourth, regular cervical smear screening should still be performed after receiving HPV vaccine.

3. Improve your lifestyle.

The occurrence of any cancer is closely related to lifestyle, so in order to prevent cervical cancer, in addition to screening and HPV vaccination, we must also improve our lifestyle.

(I) Late marriage and late childbearing. Early marriage, premature birth and first sexual intercourse at the age of less than 16 are high-risk factors for cervical cancer, so it is recommended that women marry and have children at the right age. However, in the context of a sharp decline in marriage and childbearing data, it is no longer meaningful to advocate late marriage and late childbearing. However, according to relevant research results, the age of first sexual intercourse for girls in my country is on a downward trend, so we should vigorously publicize the harm of early sexual intercourse and advocate sexual intercourse at the right age.

(2) Avoid unclean sexual behavior, reduce the number of sexual partners, and always use condoms during sexual behavior.

(3) Quit smoking and drinking, maintain a happy mood, exercise appropriately, enhance your own immunity and resistance, and reduce the occurrence of diseases.

At present, the incidence of cervical cancer in my country is increasing, and the age of onset is getting earlier. I hope everyone will pay attention to the prevention of cervical cancer and implement relevant preventive measures in daily life. Good health is more important than anything else!