There is There are various myths circulating about cervical cancer. This is because many people still do not understand about cervical cancer which is one of the most common cancers in women. In order not to be misled by myths, here are various facts about cervical cancer that are important to know.
Most cervical cancers do not cause typical symptoms or do not even show any symptoms at an early stage. This makes cervical cancer only diagnosed when it has entered an advanced stage.
In fact, cervical cancer can be prevented and detected early, so that treatment can be done immediately before the condition is already severe and more difficult to cure.
Unfortunately, there are still many women who do not understand this. Be careful, if you don't get the right information, you can be consumed by various myths about cervical cancer that are widely circulated in the community.
Cervical Cancer Myths and Facts that are Important to Know
The following are myths about cervical cancer that are commonly heard along with the facts:
1. Cervical cancer cannot be prevented
The above statement is not true. Cervical cancer can be prevented by the HPV vaccine and detected early through a Pap smear. In fact, cervical cancer is still the only cancer that can be prevented by vaccines.
In addition, you can also reduce the risk of cervical cancer by not changing sexual partners, using condoms during sex, and not smoking.
2. Tinfection HPV means having cervical cancer
The HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer. There are more than 100 types of HPV virus, but not all of them can trigger cervical cancer. Only 2 types of HPV virus can cause cervical cancer, namely HPV type 16 and type 18.
In addition, the location of the body infected with HPV also affects the risk of cervical cancer. A woman's risk of cervical cancer will increase if the HPV virus attacks the genital area and causes genital warts.
3. After receiving the HPV vaccine, there is no need to undergo a Pap smear
The HPV vaccine can indeed reduce the risk of cervical cancer due to HPV infection. However, you still need to undergo early detection of cervical cancer on a regular basis through a Pap smear.
Women aged 21–29 years are recommended to have a Pap smear every 3 years, while women aged 30–65 years are advised to have a Pap smear every 5 years.
4. Treatment of cervical cancer can cause infertility
This myth is not completely wrong, but also not 100% true. Not all methods of treating cervical cancer can interfere with fertility. Treatment for cervical cancer in the form of surgical removal of the uterus and radiation therapy in the pelvic area can indeed cause infertility.
However, other cervical cancer treatment procedures, such as a trachelectomy or removal of the cervix, still allow you and your partner to have children because they do not involve removing the uterus.
5. No symptoms of cancer means that you don't have cervical cancer
It has been previously mentioned that cervical cancer does not cause symptoms in its early stages. This disease is often only detected when it has entered an advanced stage and causes symptoms, such as pelvic pain, bleeding after sexual intercourse or outside the menstrual period, and weight loss.
Therefore, routine cervical examination is important to detect the presence of cancer cells in the cervix even if you do not feel any symptoms.
6. If you have been vaccinated against HPV, there is no need to use a condom again during sexual intercourse
This myth is certainly not true. Even after getting the HPV vaccine, condom use during sex is still necessary to prevent sexually transmitted infections. In addition, you are also advised not to have risky sex, such as having multiple sexual partners.
7. All cervical cancer sufferers have no life expectancy
If detected early, the chance to recover from cervical cancer is high. However, if it is detected late and only diagnosed when cervical cancer has entered an advanced stage, the chances of recovering from this disease will be much lower.
Several studies show that the average cervical cancer patient has a 92% chance of cure if the disease is detected and treated early. However, if cervical cancer is detected after being in an advanced stage, the chance of being cured is only about 17–20%.
This is the reason why every woman, especially those who are already sexually active, are recommended to undergo regular Pap smear examinations.
Lack of correct information about cervical cancer, plus the existence of various misleading myths, can make many women take the wrong steps in responding to cervical cancer.
If you still have questions or want to get facts about cervical cancer to clarify the myths you hear, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.
