There are several types of gynecological cancers that affect the female reproductive system, including endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. In the case of cervical cancer, there is good news. Over the past 40 years, the death rate for cervical cancer patients has fallen. Even better:in many cases, cervical cancer can be avoided entirely. To put yourself in the best position to avoid this, here are five things every woman should know about cervical cancer:
1. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that causes about 99 percent of cervical cancers. There are over 100 different types of the virus. 15 HPV types can cause cervical cancer. We call this high-risk human papillomavirus. Every year, approximately 700 women in the Netherlands are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Many cases of HPV clear up on their own by your body, but persistent infections can cause serious health problems.
2. Cervical cancer is often preventable.
The HPV vaccine is an important preventive measure. The HPV vaccine protects you against two dangerous HPV variants (types 16 and 18). Together these cause 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. You have no guarantee that you will not get cervical cancer, but with a vaccination you are better protected. The HPV vaccination is given at the GGD or the Center for Youth and Family (CJG), at the age of 13. The HPV vaccination consists of two shots. There is a period of about six months between the two injections. All women aged 30 to 60 also receive an invitation to the cervical cancer population screening every 5 years. The cervical cancer population screening tests for all high-risk types.
3. Cervical cancer doesn't have to cause obvious symptoms in the first place.
Some women don't have obvious symptoms before being diagnosed with cervical cancer, which is why it's so important to get consistent screening regardless of whether your pain, discomfort or other problems or not. The most common symptom some women experience is abnormal bleeding. For those who are still menstruating, any bleeding between periods is considered abnormal. Women with irregular periods have a harder time distinguishing between abnormal bleeding, so it's important for all women to pay attention to their bodies. Only you can recognize what is unusual for you. Everyone is different, so if something doesn't seem right, get medical help.
4. Who are most at risk?
Cervical cancer occurs mainly in young women between the ages of 35 and 45. This is different from most cancers. Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the human papilloma virus (HPV). Girls become sexually active around age 15. From then on they can become infected with HPV. If the HPV infection develops into cervical cancer, it takes an average of 10 to 15 years. Therefore, cervical cancer mainly occurs in women over the age of 30. As with all cancers, several factors can cause uterine cancer. These factors differ from woman to woman. Women who are overweight or obese, have too much fat around the waist and little exercise are more at risk. But the risk is also increased by sensitive cells, long-term contraceptive use and the number of pregnancies.
HPV infection
HPV is common. The body almost always clears the HPV within 2 years. Sometimes that doesn't work. The virus then remains for a long time and cervical cancer can develop. The risk factors for this are a reduced immune system, smoking, infection of chlamydia or herpes, infection with multiple HPV types and frequent sexual contacts.
5. What symptoms are associated with cervical cancer?
If the cells in the cervix change, you may develop the following symptoms over time:
bleeding during or immediately after sex, bleeding after the menopause, for example if you if you haven't had a period in over a year, bleeding between periods and unusual discharge from your vagina.
