Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer and the third most common type of neoplasia in women. In Romania, over 4300 new cases and over 1900 deaths caused by this disease are registered every year, according to INSP. Percentage-wise, 7.5% of all cervical cancer cases diagnosed annually in Europe come from Romania, with an incidence three times higher than the European Union average. An even more dramatic situation is Romania’s ranking in first place in Europe in terms of cervical cancer mortality of 14.2 per 100,000 women.
Starting from this shocking statistic, I want to point out a few things that all our patients should keep in mind. There are many risk factors for this disease, but by far, the infection with the HPV virus is in first place.
This is a sexually transmitted pathogen that has more than 120 strains divided into 2 subtypes: oncogenic and non-oncogenic. It should be mentioned that the risk of cancer increases up to 189 times in those with the oncogenic subtype compared to the uninfected ones. Other factors are represented by multiple sexual partners, the onset of sexual life at a young age, smoking and, last but not least, the lack of regular screening with the Babeș Papanicolau test. I would insist on the latter – regular screening through the Babeș Papanicolau test – which I consider very important. This is a non-invasive test that consists of the macroscopic examination of the cervix and the collection of cells from the cervical opening with a special brush.
Therefore, I encourage patients to perform this test and not to be afraid of possible sensitivity or complication. Once you have the test result, the doctor knows where it is going. If there are susceptible premalignant or malignant lesions, it is recommended to perform colposcopy with biopsy, or in the case of macroscopically visible lesions, a direct biopsy will be taken. Conduct following the diagnosis of cervical cancer consists in carrying out an additional investigation, namely MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, and at the same time taking into account the oncologist. Cervical cancer in its early stages is “silent” – it does not present symptoms for patients and that is why, around me, more and more cases are in advanced stages presenting the main symptom of vaginal bleeding. In this way, I recommend to all patients the annual Babeș Pap screening because 80% of them can be prevented through these periodic checks!
Material created by Dr. Betea Răzvan – Obstetrics-Gynecology Primary Physician, Competence in Gynecology-Oncology, Hysteroscopy, Colposcopy, Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery
Clinica Laurus Medical Deva
2023-10-31 04:15:27
#Cervical #cancer
