Cervical Cancer and Vaccine
The cervical cancer vaccine is also known as the HPV vaccine. This vaccine, which protects against HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infections, is administered in 2 or 3 doses. It prevents the types of infections caused by the HPV virus from causing genital warts or cancer.
Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV types 16 and 18. 90% of genital warts are caused by HPV viruses of types 6 and 11.
Cervical vaccine provides protection against this type of virus; 22, 31, 52, 45 etc. It also protects against other types of HPV.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women after breast cancer. It is mostly seen around the age of 50. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is responsible for almost all of these cancers.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
There may not be any symptoms in the early period. If abnormalities are detected in the smear test or positive result from high-risk HPV screening, this increases the suspicion of cervical cancer. The physician may need to examine with a colposcope and biopsy.
Symptoms of the disease usually occur in the advanced stages. Symptoms such as irregular menstruation, bloody discharge and bleeding after sexual intercourse are examples of this.
In advanced cases, the tumor can be easily detected by examination. If the disease gets worse, leg pain, urination and defecation problems occur.
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
- Sexual İntercourse At An Early Age
- Smoking
- Having More Than One Partner
- Giving Birth To Many
- Weak İmmune System
- Vitamin A And C Deficiencies
Cervical Cancer Treatment
Methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical intervention are used in the treatment. These are sometimes applied alone or sometimes in combination.
If the cancer is in the CIN 2-3 stage, that is, if the lesion has not yet reached the depth of the tissue, that area can be surgically removed. In this way, the part that is likely to become cancerous is eliminated and a significant improvement is achieved.