Globally, the cervical cancer or cervix (CCU) and he fourth most common cancer in womenwith a estimated incidence of more than 600,000 new cases each year and produces about 270,000 deaths.
However, 9 out of 10 cases could be prevented. Both vaccine prevention, available for years, and routine gynecological tests favor the detection of this tumor and its early treatment.
Even knowing these data, dAnd the billion women aged between 30 and 49 years who live in the world, 662 million, that means, 64% have never been screened cervical cancer, according to data dthe Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).
Andste study reveals that there are significant inequalities in screening coverage between high-income and low-income countries. For its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) has fixed a plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem before the end of this century.
The Cervical cancer develops very slowly and begins as a precancerous condition called dysplasia. which can take years to turn into cervical cancer. this condition can be detected by the Pap smear and is almost 100% curable.
Most women diagnosed with cervical cancer today either did not have regular Pap smears or were not followed up for abnormal Pap smear results.
Arancha Moreno Elola-Olaso, Head of the Gynecology Service by Ruber Juan Bravo, Answers various questions.
Simply put, what is cervical cancer?
It is a malignant tumor, which originates in the cells of the cervix.
What are the causes or risk factors for this type of cancer?
The most important is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Another very important one is smoking.
Girls are currently vaccinated from the age of thirteen for HPV, as the rate of precancerous cervical disease has increased over the past decade.
How can it be prevented?
The best way to prevent it is of course not to smoke. And also, do gynecological checks with HPV typing and double cytology. It is important to detect high-risk cases to tailor screening with colposcopy, endocervical scraping, or biopsy.
What’s your take on this fact that tells us 64% of women have never been checked for cervical cancer?
The numbers of patients who do not undergo check-ups are always very striking, above all because in this case they are non-invasive tests, which are carried out in the clinic and in a country where there are screening methods registered in all hospitals.
What is the Papanicolaou test?
This is what we call cytology. During the consultation we expose the cervix with a speculum and take two shots of the superficial cells, one from the exocervix (outermost area of the neck) and another from the endocervix (channel that communicates with the rest of the uterus). This sample is placed on a glass and fixed. In the pathology laboratory it is colored and studied under a microscope. It is called that because it was that doctor who discovered that thousands of lives can be saved with this simple test.
At what age is it most striking?
It is a tumor with a very long precancerous curve. For this reason in patients undergoing revisions it can be diagnosed early, when it is potentially curable. Invasive cancer, when it has the potential to produce metastases, is usually diagnosed after menopause.
At what age is it good to do revisions to detect anomalies?
In my opinion, women aged 18-20, if they are having sex, should have HPV cytology and typing. Clinical protocols allow for a later start. Let’s not forget that the precancerous curve is very long. However, the sooner an anomaly is detected, the sooner we can act.
What is your death rate now?
The overall survival rate is 65% five years after diagnosis, although in neighboring countries it is slightly higher, at around 71%. However, in advanced stages survival drops to 17%.
What about healing?
Only in the very first stages can we talk about cure. Usually we speak of time free from illness.
What types of treatments exist to treat it?
Combination treatments should always go hand in hand: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
What is recommended after the treatment?
Strict medical follow-up by a multidisciplinary team is essential. And it’s also very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoiding toxins like tobacco and increasing exercise.
