HPV Vaccine: Your FAQs About Cervical Cancer Answered
January has been designated as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and awareness events are organized in many countries around the world to draw attention to the disease. In our country, awareness activities are held in all provinces, and our screening programs are introduced and efforts are made to raise awareness among our people on this issue.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease that affects women worldwide. The number of women prevented from dying due to cervical cancer in a country is directly proportional to the development of that country in terms of health services and the value given to women. It has been proven that cervical cancer, a type of cancer that develops in the cervix, can be significantly reduced when diagnosed early with screening methods. For this reason, the Ministry of Health has included cervical cancer screenings in its detailed health programs and continues to carry them out with great success.
There are many risk factors that can lead to cervical cancer, including untreated Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), multiple births, early onset of sexual activity, having more than one sexual partner, smoking, having a low socioeconomic status, and a weakened immune system. Symptoms of cervical cancer include unusual vaginal discharge, pain in the back or legs, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, swelling in the legs, pain during urination, and abnormal bleeding.
Cervical cancer can be detected and treated through screening and early diagnosis. There are two widely-used screening tests for cervical cancer – the HPV test and the Pap smear test. Both are simple, painless tests that can help detect pre-cancerous changes in the cervix.
It is recommended that women between the ages of 30-65 receive screening tests every 5 years. These tests are available free of charge at Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Training Centers (KETEM), Healthy Life Centers (SHM), and Family Health Centers (ASM) in Turkey.
While cervical cancer is treatable when diagnosed early, it can also be prevented through vaccination and safe sexual practices. The World Health Organization recommends that girls aged 9-14 be vaccinated against cervical cancer.
Awareness and education are key in the fight against cervical cancer. By raising awareness, promoting regular screening, and encouraging safe sexual practices, we can work towards reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and saving lives.
