Table of contents:
- Cancer and the importance of women having regular health checks
- Cervical cancer
- How to screening cervical cancer?
- Breast cancer
Reproductive health is an important aspect of a woman's life. Reproductive health checks are important to do regularly, especially considering a number of diseases that are more susceptible to attacking women.
This is especially true considering the two types of cancer that predominantly or even only attack women, namely cervical cancer and breast cancer. However, in this digital era, there is a lot of misinformation about women's health that is accepted by society.
Cancer and the importance of women having regular health checks
Carrying out regular health checks, both general and specifically related to reproductive health, will help women stay healthy and know early signs and symptoms of a disease. There are many diseases for which treatment is often more effective if they are caught at an early stage. Especially cervical cancer and breast cancer, which mostly attack women.
Based on data from the Global Cancer Observatory report, in 2018 there were around 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 32,000 new cases of cervical cancer in Indonesia. Both types of cancer cause between 22,000 and 18,000 deaths. This means that every one hour, there are 2-3 women who die from breast cancer or cervical cancer.
Both types of cancer, although they are severe diseases, can be detected from an early stage through screening effective. Routine health checks on these reproductive organs can prevent cancer. Let's talk more about breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer
Other risk factors for cervical cancer are having sexual intercourse for the first time at an early age, changing partners, smoking, and having problems with your immune system.
The development of HPV infection from the initial period of infection to cervical cancer takes a relatively long time, which is about 3 to 20 years after a person is first infected with the virus.
During this period, abnormal changes in the cells of an infected person's body can be detected through screening for cervical cancer.
How to screening cervical cancer?
Screening Cervical cancer should be done by all women aged 25 years who have had sexual intercourse. It is important that women carry out regular medical examinations every 3-5 times, depending on their age and associated risk factors.
Screening Cervical cancer can be stopped after reaching 65 years of age, if the last 2 or 3 tests are negative.
Method screening Cervical cancer includes a cytology test (Pap smear), HPV DNA test, and visual examination of the cervix using acetic acid (VIA).
Each of these tests has strengths and limitations. In all methods screening, the doctor will perform a gynecological examination and visualize the cervix using a speculum or better known to the layman as the duck cocor.
After visualization of the cervix, the doctor will use a brush or other sampling tool to obtain the cells. There is no need to worry, because this procedure is safe and painless.
For cervical health checks, usually a Pap smear is sufficient for women aged 25-29 years. After the age of 30 years and over it is advisable to do a combination of Pap smear tests and HPV DNA (co-testing) to achieve a better detection rate.
Normal examination results must be repeated every 3 to 5 years, but if the results show abnormalities or problems then further examinations such as a biopsy and colposcopy.
In addition to routine women's reproductive health checks, cervical cancer prevention is also recommended to be supplemented with HPV vaccination.
This HPV vaccine is included in the vaccination program for school children aged 10-14 years. Ideally, this vaccine is given before the start of sexual activity. Women who have had sexual intercourse can re-immunize, but they must first undergo a medical examination.
This vaccine does not completely prevent the transmission of HPV infection, therefore screening cervix remains to be done.
Breast cancer
Risk factors for breast cancer include a family history of breast cancer, late menopause, nulliparity or have never given birth to women, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Screening Breast cancer usually starts at age 40 years and no later than 50 years. The common method of screening for breast cancer is by mammography, which is an examination using X-ray technology to evaluate the breast.
Mammography may need to be repeated every 1-2 years. In women with dense breasts, breast cancer screening by mammography is difficult to interpret and sometimes requires sonography.
Since the age of 20, women are encouraged to perform regular breast self-examination (BSE) 3 to 5 days after menstruation. Breast self-examination is done by standing in front of a mirror and then feeling your breasts for lumps, pain, or other changes. Every time you notice a change or finding a lump that is worrying, you should immediately consult a doctor.
In women who have a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing can be done to determine the presence or absence of gene mutations. Although not a diagnostic tool, genetic testing can predict a person's risk so that he or she can increase awareness in prevention.
Health in women needs more attention, especially breast cancer and cervical cancer. Both types of cancer are the most common cancers threatening health and the most deadly for women.
These two types of cancer can be detected at an early stage before turning into cancer with routine reproductive health checks.
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