“Preventing Cervical Cancer: The Importance of Pap Smears and HPV Vaccinations”

Looking at the rankings of major diseases in Taiwan, cervical cancer is on the list. It is not only one of the top ten cancers in women, but also one of the three most common women’s cancers along with ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. It also belongs to the four major cancers provided by the National Health Service. Cancer screening (breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, oral cancer), the severity of cervical cancer can be seen.

Cervical cancer is more likely to occur in women over 35 years old without obvious symptoms at the initial stage

According to the 110-year cause of death statistics from the National Health Service, the number of deaths from cervical cancer was 608, and the standardized death rate was 2.8 per 100,000 people. Zhou Taifu, Director of the Obstetrics Department of Annan Hospital, explained that cervical cancer is more likely to occur in women over 35 years old, with an average age of 40 to 55 years. Since there are no obvious symptoms and pain in the early stages of cervical cancer, it is easy for many patients to delay the golden opportunity for treatment. When abnormal vaginal bleeding occurs, the cancer cells may have invaded the pelvis!

Public health insurance subsidy “These people” enjoy a free smear test every year

Therefore, Director Zhou Taifu emphasized that taking Pap smears on time can detect infection, inflammation, and abnormal cells in the cervix at an early stage, and prevent the occurrence of cancer early. At present, the public health insurance subsidizes women over the age of 30 who have sexual experience and can receive a Pap smear for free every year. Director Zhou Taifu explained the method of cervical smear examination, that is, the secretion containing cervical exfoliated cells is collected from the vagina, and then the smear is stained, and suspicious cancer cells can be found through a microscope; if the test result is positive, further investigations are required. Colposcopy and cervical biopsy.

In addition, in order to avoid affecting the accuracy of the smear, the National Health Service recommends that women should pay attention to the following 5 points before the examination: do not wash the vagina, avoid bathing, do not place suppositories, do not have sex the night before, and avoid menstrual periods.

HPV vaccination prevents 70% of cervical cancers

In addition to regular Pap smears, Director Zhou Taifu said that HPV vaccination is also an effective preventive option. The full name of HPV is Human papillomavirus, which means “human papillomavirus”. It is closely related to the occurrence of cervical precancerous lesions, cervical cancer, and external genital cancer of men and women. Current research data show that regardless of men and women, everyone has a 50% to 80% chance of being infected with HPV in their lifetime, especially after women start having sex, the chance of HPV infection will increase significantly; HPV vaccination can prevent at least 70% of cervical cancer People who have cancer and are between the ages of 9 and 45 are suitable for vaccination.