5 Important Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Roseous.com - 5 Important Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer. Cervical cancer is the number one killer for Indonesian women. In fact, according to the chairman of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (YKI), Prof.DR.dr. Aru Wicaksono was quoted from the Coil page, of 40 women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer, 20 of whom died. That's why, it's not excessive if cervical cancer is the most feared by almost all women in Indonesia. So, how to prevent cervical cancer? Find out the answer in this article.

5 Important Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Overview of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer or commonly called cervical cancer is a network of cancer cells that grow and develop uncontrollably in the cervix. Some uterine cancers are caused by a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) virus that can be transmitted through intensual intercourse, either in anal, oral, or vaginal ways.

Women who have HPV virus in their bodies may have cervical cancer and may also not develop cervical cancer. However, women who have HPV virus in their body and coupled with a bad lifestyle have a greater likelihood of suffering from cervical cancer.

Most cervical cancer cases are found at an advanced stage. This happens because while still in the early stages, cervical cancer generally does not cause any symptoms. In fact, the earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance for recovery.

How to prevent cervical cancer

1. Routinely do pap smears

Pap Smear is one of the best ways as the first line of defense to prevent cervical cancer. This screening method serves to detect cells in the cervix that have the potential to become cancer later.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), you are advised to take a Pap smear for the first time at the age of 21, regardless of whether you have had intens or not. But, if you are more than 21 years old, you are not too late to immediately conduct this examination.

You are advised to have a pap smear regularly every three years (without an HPV test), for those of you who are 21-30 years old. As for those of you who are over 30 years of age, you are advised to do a Pap smear (accompanied by an HPV test) every five years. Perform regular pap smears to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Don't forget, consult your doctor first before you decide to do this examination.

2. Get HPV vaccination

Another important way to prevent cervical cancer is to do HPV vaccination. If you are a woman and male between the ages of 9 and 26, you are advised to get this vaccine.

Basically the most ideal HPV vaccine is given to those who are not yet intensually active. But, all adults who are intensually active and have never received this vaccine before, should immediately vaccinate.

Women who have been intensually active must have a pap smear before getting an HPV vaccine. If the pap smear results are normal, you can get an HPV vaccine right away. However, if the Pap smear is not normal, the doctor will carry out a follow-up examination to make a further diagnosis.

Although HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of cervical cancer, but this vaccine does not guarantee you are fully protected from cervical cancer. You are still advised to live a healthy lifestyle and pap smears regularly even though you have received HPV vaccination.

3. Avoid smoking

You can reduce the chance of getting cervical cancer by not smoking. Not smoking is another important way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. The reason is, cigarette toxins are oxidative so they can trigger cancer cells to appear and become more malignant.

4. Do safe making love

More than 90 percent of cervical cancers are caused by infection with the HPV virus. The spread of this virus occurs through unsafe intensual relations, then use condoms when having intens to reduce the risk of contracting HPV.

Read more: Regarding Night Bath and Rheumatism.

In addition, the risk of contracting HPV also increases when often intensual partners change. Women who only have one partner can be infected with this virus if their partner has many other intensual partners.

5. Maintain vaginal hygiene

In addition to pap smears to prevent cervical cancer, you also have to maintain vaginal hygiene, especially during menstruation and vaginal discharge. You can use feminine antiseptic fluid containing povidone iodine to maintain the cleanliness of your vagina, especially during the "red day" or menstruation period.