3 Life-Saving Methods for Cervical Cancer

Approximately 600,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed worldwide annually, with more than 2,000 women in our country receiving a cervical cancer diagnosis each year. Cervical cancer, primarily caused by Human Papillomavirus, is the third most common gynaecological cancer seen in our country. If cervical cancer is detected at an advanced stage, the chances of treating the disease decrease, while early diagnosis saves lives!

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Engin Çelik, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology / Gynaecological Oncology at Acıbadem Ataşehir Hospital, points out that advanced-stage cervical cancer is almost never seen in women who have regular check-ups, stating: "Three methods consisting of vaccines and tests save lives in cervical cancer. This type of cancer can be prevented with HPV vaccines and, at the same time, cells can be treated before becoming cancerous thanks to PAP smear and HPV tests. Therefore, women should have a PAP smear test every 3 years from the age of 21, even without any complaints, unless the doctor recommends otherwise, and HPV screening every 5 years after the age of 30. Additionally, the HPV vaccine can prevent cancer with an effectiveness rate of up to 90 per cent. Although the most suitable period is ages 11-12, the vaccine can also be effective between ages 9-46."

The body usually clears the virus, but…
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a DNA virus, has approximately 200 different types that infect skin and mucous membranes. HPV type 1, which most frequently causes warts on the skin, is the most common. Besides this, HPV types 6 and 11 are found in the genital area. HPV is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact. It rarely spreads through other causes.

Gynaecological Oncology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Engin Çelik states that 80 per cent of women encounter HPV at some point in their lives, noting: "The body's defence system usually clears Human Papillomavirus within 2 years. However, certain HPV types, particularly cancer-causing types 16 and 18, can escape the immune system and cause cancer by altering the genome of cervical cells. In HPV screening conducted on 7 million women over 30 years of age in Turkey, cancer-causing types were found at a rate of approximately 5 per cent."

These factors increase risk!
Smoking, diseases that impair the immune system or medication use, multiple pregnancies, early sexual activity, and having multiple sexual partners are risk factors for cervical cancer. However, cervical cancer occurs in women who do not have regular gynaecological examinations and do not undergo cervical cancer screening. Through early diagnosis, precancerous lesions can be surgically removed, preventing the development of cancer.

Watch for the 3 most common symptoms!
Human Papillomavirus does not cause symptoms unless it progresses to cancer. Gynaecological Oncology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Engin Çelik notes that cervical cancer usually develops years after HPV infection, stating: "The most common complaints in women with lesions are bleeding after sexual intercourse, discharge, and irregular vaginal bleeding."

PAP Smear test required from age 21!
Cervical cancer screening is performed from age 21 onwards, unless the doctor recommends otherwise, every 3 years through a PAP Smear test conducted during gynaecological examination. HPV screening is recommended to be performed every 5 years after age 30 in our country. Gynaecological Oncology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Engin Çelik emphasises that the main goal in cervical cancer screening is to detect precancerous lesions that could progress to cervical cancer, stating: "PAP Smear and HPV tests are screening tests, and abnormal screening test results do not indicate the presence of cancer. If screening test results are abnormal, colposcopy is performed, which involves examining the cervix with a microscope-like instrument for magnification. If precancerous lesions are detected following colposcopic examination, treatment is initiated."

Treated surgically at early stages!
Treatment of cervical cancer is planned according to the patient's age, desire for children, and the stage of the disease. Gynaecological Oncology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Engin Çelik states that in women with very early-stage disease who wish to preserve the uterus, removal of the cervix in a cone shape may be sufficient. Noting that if the disease has not spread to surrounding tissues, radical hysterectomy, which involves removal of the uterus, is performed, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Engin Çelik states: "At advanced stages, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment are applied rather than surgical treatment."