It is important for women to know how to prevent cervical cancer. The reason is, cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer suffered by women, especially those aged 30-45 years.
Cervical cancer is cancer that occurs in the cervix or cervix. This cancer is generally not preceded by typical symptoms, so these symptoms are often ignored. In fact, if detected early, treatment for cervical cancer has a high success rate.
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by viral infections human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV virus can be transmitted through sexual contact and can cause abnormal changes in cervical cells, which in turn can lead to cancer.
How to Prevent Cervical Cancer
Here are various ways to prevent cervical cancer that you can do:
1. Do HPV vaccination
HPV vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection with the HPV virus that can cause cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for adolescent girls aged 10-13 years. However, the HPV vaccine can also be given to women up to the age of 26 years or before being sexually active.
What you need to remember, the HPV vaccination is done as a preventive measure. This means that the HPV vaccine is not able to treat an existing infection or disease. Therefore, you need to do the HPV vaccination as early as possible to avoid the risk of HPV infection.
2. Doing checkssaan PAP smear
Inspection PAP smear is a medical procedure performed to detect cervical cancer early. This examination should be done periodically by women who have been sexually active.
Since the age of 21, you already need to do PAP smear at least once every 3 years until the age of 65 years.
After doing PAP smear and the results come out, don't forget to follow the next recommendations from the doctor, for example doing PAP smear return after 6 months or undergo further investigations, such as colposcopy.
3. Doing hsafe and healthy sex
As previously mentioned, the HPV virus is generally spread through sexual contact, especially risky sexual contact, such as having sex with multiple partners or not using condoms as protection.
Although not 100% protective, having sex using a condom can help reduce the risk of spreading HPV infection. However, it would be even better if you are loyal to only one sexual partner, yes.
In addition, also avoid using sex toys take turns with other people, because this can also increase the risk of HPV infection.
The various ways to prevent cervical cancer above should immediately be applied in your daily life. Then, don't forget to also adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
In addition, immediately consult a doctor if you experience complaints in the form of pain during sexual intercourse, bleeding appears after sexual intercourse, or menstrual bleeding that lasts a long time, is excessive, or occurs again shortly after the end of menstruation.