7 Prevention of Cervical Cancer You Must Know – Cervical cancer is one of the deadliest diseases that affects many women in Indonesia. Reporting from the official website of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, at least there are around 15,000 cases of cervical cancer in Indonesia every year. Even though it's scary, basically cervical cancer can still be prevented. How to prevent cervical cancer is correct? Check out the following reviews!
7 Prevention of Cervical Cancer You Must Know: Know the 7 prevention of cervical cancer you must know. Cervical cancer prevention is essential, and knowing the seven prevention strategies is crucial. You must know about regular screenings, like Pap tests and HPV tests, for early detection. Detection is crucial, and early detection can save lives. Lives can be saved when HPV vaccination is prioritized, preventing infections. Infections can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce risks. Risks can be minimized by avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and unprotected sex. Sexually active individuals must use condoms consistently to prevent HPV transmission.
Getting to Know Cervical Cancer
Before knowing the prevention of cervical cancer, you should first identify what cervical cancer is. Cervical cancer is cancer that appears in the cervix which is part of the female reproductive system. The cervix or cervix is between the vagina and uterus.
This cancer is triggered by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Although not all women with HPV develop cervical cancer, if you do have HPV, it means you have a high risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV itself can be transmitted through sexual contact.
How to Prevent Cervical Cancer
Cancer that is detected early will be easier to treat, but even better if cancer can be prevented from the start. Cervical cancer can attack every woman, so knowledge about cervical cancer prevention should also be known by every woman.
Here are some steps to prevent cervical cancer that can be done:
1. Routine pap smear examination
Doing Pap smears regularly can be one way to prevent cervical cancer.
Pap smear is an examination performed to take samples of cervical cells to determine whether there are cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. Cells that have the potential to develop into cancer are not certain that they will develop into cancer, but it is better if they are removed from the start.
Pap smear examination should be done routinely every 3 years by women starting at 21 years of age or who have been sexually active until they are 65 years old.
2. Routine HPV examination
In addition to Pap smear examination, the HPV test is also an important test to do as a prevention of cervical cancer.
As previously mentioned, cervical cancer develops from HPV. The HPV test can be done alone or can also be combined with a pap smear. Women over the age of 30 are advised to carry out an HPV or HPV test with a pap smear every 5 years.
3. Get the cervical cancer vaccine
The trigger for cervical cancer is HPV, so the vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine.
There are more than 100 types of HPV, but there are two types that cause cervical cancer the most, namely types 16 and 18. This vaccine is usually given before someone is sexually active. Age 9-13 years is the most recommended because vaccines are considered more effective at working on a good immune system at that age.
If it's too late to get the vaccine, women can still get this vaccine until they are 26 years old. However, if you are already sexually active, women must first do a pap smear before getting the vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is not only for women, but also for men. The HPV vaccine in men serves as a prevention of genital warts, penile cancer, anal cancer, and prevention of transmission of HPV to partners.
4. Avoid risky sexual intercourse
Prevention of cervical cancer that can be done next is to avoid risky sexual intercourse.
HPV can be transmitted through sex, this risk will certainly be higher if you don't use a condom or if you change partners. HPV can be transmitted through various sexual contacts, including skin contact between the genitals, oral sex, vaginal, anal sex, and using sex toys.
5. Avoid smoking
If you don't want to get cervical cancer, smoking is one you should avoid because smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for cervical cancer.
Women who smoke and inhale secondhand smoke have an increased risk of cervical cancer among women infected with HPV. The risk increases in women who smoke more for a longer period of time.
6. Maintain diet
Foods with balanced nutrition can be cervical cancer prevention foods.
Apart from consuming nutritious food, don't forget to also avoid various foods that can trigger cancer.
Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables will be good for your overall health and can be a natural way to prevent cervical cancer. Meanwhile, the types of food that should be avoided or limited in consumption because they can trigger cancer are foods high in trans fat, processed foods and drinks that contain preservatives, alcohol, and many more.
7. Maintain ideal body weight
Maintaining an ideal body weight can also be a preventive measure for cervical cancer.
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of various chronic diseases, including cervical cancer. Meanwhile, body weight below ideal can also reduce the immune system which makes the body more susceptible to disease.
Maintaining an ideal body weight can be done by maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Those are various ways to prevent cervical cancer that every woman can apply. Cervical cancer can attack anyone, so every woman must be aware of this one disease. Adopting a healthy lifestyle will really help prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages and is detected only after it has entered an advanced stage. Don't forget to routinely check yourself so that cancer can be detected earlier and get treatment faster.
Last Thoughts
The 7 prevention strategies for cervical cancer are vital in ensuring a healthier and safer future. Regular screenings, HPV vaccination, and a healthy lifestyle form the foundation of protection, allowing for early detection and reduced risks. Avoiding risky behaviors and practicing safe sex are additional measures that contribute to prevention.FAQs
What are the seven prevention strategies for cervical cancer?
- The seven prevention strategies for cervical cancer include regular screenings, such as Pap tests and HPV tests, HPV vaccination, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise, avoiding risky behaviors like smoking and unprotected sex, practicing safe sex and consistent condom use, staying informed about medical advancements, and fostering open communication with healthcare providers.
How do regular screenings contribute to cervical cancer prevention?
- Regular screenings, like Pap tests and HPV tests, are essential for early detection of abnormal cervical changes. By identifying any abnormalities early on, appropriate interventions can be initiated to prevent the progression of cervical cancer.
Why is HPV vaccination important for cervical cancer prevention?
- HPV vaccination is crucial because human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer. By getting vaccinated, individuals can protect themselves against the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer.
How does a healthy lifestyle reduce the risk of cervical cancer?
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and regular exercise, can strengthen the immune system. A robust immune system is better equipped to defend against HPV infections and other factors that may contribute to the development of cervical cancer.
Why is it important to avoid risky behaviors for cervical cancer prevention?
- Risky behaviors, such as smoking and engaging in unprotected sexual activity, can increase the risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer. By avoiding these behaviors, individuals can lower their chances of developing the disease.
How does practicing safe sex and using condoms prevent cervical cancer?
- Consistent condom use during sexual activity can reduce the transmission of HPV, which is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer. By practicing safe sex, individuals can protect themselves and their partners from HPV infection.
Why is staying informed about medical advancements essential for cervical cancer prevention?
- Medical research and advancements in cervical cancer prevention are continuously evolving. Staying informed about the latest recommendations and developments allows individuals to make informed decisions about their health and adopt the most effective preventive measures.
How can open communication with healthcare providers contribute to prevention?
- Open communication with healthcare providers enables individuals to discuss their concerns, risk factors, and symptoms. Healthcare providers can offer personalized advice, perform necessary screenings, and provide timely interventions, enhancing the effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention efforts.
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