Early diagnosis of cervical cancer is an opportunity not to miss cancer!

More than 270,000 women die from cervical cancer annually. According to statistics, 85% of fatal cases occur in low and middle-income countries. This terrible disease can be avoided if preventive measures are started in time. But even with the disease already started, it can be managed if detected at an early stage.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

The main causes of cervical cancer (CC) are:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Most sexually active women are infected with this virus.
• Onset of sexual activity before the age of 16.
• Cervical trauma during childbirth.
• Smoking.

CC is most often detected in women over 40 years old.

Symptoms of the Disease

Unfortunately, the disease is most often detected at the second and third stages, in an advanced state. A sign of advanced CC can be the appearance of bloody discharge, especially after sexual intercourse or between menstrual periods. At the same time, symptoms may include back and leg pain, leg swelling, and blood in the urine.

Important! The initial stages of the disease and precancerous conditions can be asymptomatic, but they can be easily detected during a gynecological examination. Therefore, it is important to regularly undergo examinations by a gynecologist. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment!

For accurate diagnosis, experienced obstetrician-gynecologists at the Dobrobut medical network use cytological examination of cervical smears, videocolposcopy, PCR diagnostics, and histological examination of cervical tissue. If necessary, ultrasound examination, X-ray methods, and magnetic resonance imaging are used.

Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of cervical cancer are distinguished.

Measures of primary prevention include:

• Vaccination of adolescents aged 9-13 against HPV (vaccines are most effective if administered before contact with the virus).
• Sanitary and educational measures.
• Warning about the dangers of smoking.
• Use of condoms.

70% of CC cases worldwide are caused by two HPV types (16 and 18). In most countries, including Ukraine, three vaccines are used that prevent 95% of infections with both HPV types. One of the vaccines also prevents infection with human papillomavirus types six and eleven, which cause pointed condylomas, while another provides protection against five more types of viruses that can also cause cancer and precancerous conditions.

The Dobrobut medical network provides vaccination for girls and women to protect against cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is also necessary for boys and men because some types of cancer associated with HPV also occur in them.

Secondary prevention includes:

• Cytological examination.
• Detection of high-risk oncogenic HPV types.
• Treatment of inflammatory gynecological diseases.
• Treatment of cervical dysplasia.

It is important to know that cervical dysplasia is an intermediate stage between the normal state of the cervix and cancer. The disease has mild, moderate, and severe forms.

Timely detection and treatment of cervical dysplasia prevent the disease from progressing to cancer.

Tertiary prevention involves surgical treatment of cervical cancer, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Be attentive to your female health. After all, it is better to prevent cervical cancer than to deal with the consequences of difficult oncological treatment. Women aged 18 and older, or from the beginning of sexual activity, should undergo a preventive gynecological examination at least once a year.

For information on treatment and to book an appointment, please call the Dobrobut Medical Network contact center.