Breast cancer happens at any age, ‘prevention’ is important

[메디컬투데이=조성우 기자] When talking about women’s health, the health of the uterus, ovaries, vagina, and breasts are essential factors. Among them, warnings about ‘cervical cancer’ have been gradually appearing recently, but unfortunately, many women are not aware of the disease.

◇ ‘Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)’, which causes breast cancer

Cervical cancer is a cancer of the female reproductive system that occurs in the cervix, the entrance to the uterus. Human papillomavirus is known to be the leading cause of breast cancer, the second most common type of cancer in women after breast cancer. Among human papillomaviruses, high-risk viruses include types 16, 18, 32, and 33, which are known to be most commonly transmitted through sexual contact. Among them, types 16 and 18 are the main cause of breast cancer, found in about 70% of cases.

Among the human papillomaviruses, types 6 and 11, which are low risk, usually cause warts and it is possible that they will disappear naturally. Therefore, even if you have symptoms of warts, you may suspect that you have human papilloma virus, so you should seek help from a medical professional.

◇ Cervical cancer, how to differentiate it

Breast cancer is not a malignant tumor that develops suddenly, but goes through a pre-cancerous stage for a long time. The survival rate within 5 years of onset is around 80%, and early detection increases the survival rate. Symptoms that may appear after cervical cancer has progressed include bleeding after intercourse, pelvic pain, back pain, and weight loss. Bleeding during intercourse can be accompanied by irregular bleeding, which can cause anemia, depending on the progress of the breast cancer. However, these symptoms could also appear as a result of uterine, ovarian, or thyroid diseases as well as breast cancer, and prevention should be prioritized before symptoms appear.

Screening is the most important thing in preventing breast cancer. According to the national recommendations for cancer screening, cervical cytology is recommended at three-year intervals for women over 20 years of age. Therefore, the country performs cervical psychological tests every two years on women over 20 years old.

Since there is no cure for HPV, the HPV vaccine is also recommended, also known as the cervical cancer vaccine. The HPV vaccine can prevent types 16 and 18, which are the highest risk groups found in breast cancer among the more than 100 types of human papillomavirus, and can also prevent types a more depending on the type of vaccine. The bivalent vaccine prevents HPV types 16 and 18, the quadrivalent vaccine prevents HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11, and the 9-valent vaccine prevents HPV types 16, 18, 6, 11, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. possible.

Seoul Hospital Director Miz Nam Seung-hyeon (obstetrician/gynecologist)“Through the country’s free cervical cancer vaccination policy, Gardasil 4 is supported for girls aged 13 to 17 and low-income women aged 8 to 26,” he said. age, you get the vaccine in three doses, and it is important to follow the time and the time between vaccinations,” he said. In particular, the vaccine against human papillomavirus has a preventive effect even if you have to have sexual intercourse.

Breast cancer is not 100% preventable even after vaccination. Therefore, even if you do not have a medical history, you must undergo an examination every two years according to the free examination period provided by the organization. Since sexual intercourse can be a source of spread of human papilloma virus, men should get the vaccine to protect each other’s health.

Medical Today Reporter Jo Seong-woo ([email protected])

[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]