Cervical cancer claims the lives of 7 Thai women per day, and statistics show that an average of 6,000 Thai women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The severity of this disease stems from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which can be transmitted through sexual contact. What makes this disease particularly daunting is the unknowing transmission and incubation of HPV in the cervix, as in some cases, HPV can take up to 10 years to develop into cancer.
Risks of Cervical Cancer
Other risk factors that make women, whether young girls or adults, susceptible to cervical cancer include:
- Having sexual intercourse at a young age
- Having multiple sexual partners or having sex with men who have multiple partners
- Taking birth control pills for an extended period (more than 5 years increases the risk)
- Having more than 4 pregnancies and deliveries
- Having a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, etc.
- Smoking
- Lack of cervical cancer screening
- Deficiency in certain nutrients, especially in women who consume fewer vegetables and fruits, are at a higher risk than those who consume more.
Preventing Cervical Cancer
Preventive measures for cervical cancer that everyone can take include:
- For individuals aged 9 – 26 years who have never had sexual intercourse, can protect themselves from HPV infections by getting vaccinated against cervical cancer, preventing cervical cells from becoming abnormal and eventually turning into cancer cells.
- For individuals under 30 years, it’s recommended to start screening for cervical cancer within 3 years after the first sexual intercourse or at the age of 21, and to continue regular screenings annually until the age of 30.
- For those over the age of 30, the following screening methods are recommended:
- Cytology examination (Pap Test) alone: if screening results come back normal every year for 3 or more consecutive years, the screening interval can be extended to every 2-3 years.
- Cytology examination (Pap Test) combined with the detection of abnormal cells, testing for HPV (HPV DNA Test): if both screening results are normal, screening can be done every 3 years. However, if any abnormality is found, further examination is needed as recommended by the doctor for proper treatment planning.
- Liqui Prep: a new technology that is an improvement of the traditional PAP Smear method for screening cervical cancer cells.
- Colposcopy: an examination using a special microscope called a colposcope when Pap smear results show abnormalities.
Treating Cervical Cancer
Although current treatments for cervical cancer, such as:
- Excision of the cervix with an electric loop
- Cryotherapy of the cervix
- Laser ablation
- Cone biopsy with a scalpel
can lead to complete recovery if the cancer is diagnosed in its early stages before it spreads, once the cancer has metastasized, it may become necessary to remove the uterus or undergo radiation or chemotherapy.
