11 Ways to Prevent Cervical Cancer that Women Must Know

Cervical cancer is one of the deadliest diseases for women. Therefore, it is important for women to prevent this cancer. How to? Check out the full explanation here

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix which is part of the female reproductive system. The cervix or cervix is ​​between the vagina and uterus.

This cancer is triggered by human papillomavirus (HPVs). Although not all women with HPV develop cervical cancer, if you do have HPV, it means you have a high risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV itself can also be transmitted through sexual contact.

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How to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer can attack every woman, so knowledge about prevention should also be known by every woman.

Here are some ways to prevent cervical cancer that can be done, including:

1. Pap smear examination

Pap smear is an examination performed to take samples of cervical cells to determine whether there are cells that have the potential to develop into cancer.

Cells that have the potential to develop into cancer are not certain that they will develop into cancer, but it is better if they are removed from the start.

This examination should be carried out routinely every 3 years by women starting at 21 years of age or who have been sexually active until they are 65 years old.

2. Routine HPV examination

In addition to Pap smear examination, the HPV test is also an important test to do as a prevention of cervical cancer.

As previously mentioned, cervical cancer develops from HPV. The HPV test can be done alone or can also be combined with a pap smear. Women over the age of 30 are advised to do an HPV or HPV test with a pap smear every 5 years.

Also Read: Young Women Get Cervical Cancer, What Are the Causes?

3. Getting the Cervical Cancer Vaccine

The trigger for cervical cancer is HPV, so the vaccine used as a prevention for cervical cancer is HPV vaccine.

There are more than 100 types of HPV, but there are two types that cause cervical cancer the most, namely types 16 and 18. This vaccine is usually given before someone is sexually active. Age 9-13 years is the most recommended because vaccines are considered more effective at working on the immune system at that age.

If it’s too late to get the vaccine, women can still get this vaccine until they are 26 years old. However, if you are already sexually active, women must first do a pap smear before getting the vaccine.

The HPV vaccine is not only for women, but also for men. The HPV vaccine in men functions as a prevention of genital warts, penile cancer, anal cancer, and prevention of transmission human papillomavirus to partner.

For those of you who live in Jakarta and want to get the HPV vaccine, you can visit the Farmaku pharmacy. For more info click HPV vaccine Farmaku Kelapa Gading Square Pharmacy.

4. Avoid Risky Sexual Relations

Prevention of cervical cancer that can be done next is to avoid risky sexual intercourse.

HPV can be transmitted through sex, this risk will certainly be higher if you don’t use a condom or if you change partners. HPV can be transmitted through various sexual contacts, including skin contact between the genitals, oral sex, vaginal, anal sex, and using sex toys.

5. Avoid smoking

If you don’t want to get cervical cancer, smoking is one you should avoid because smoking is one of the biggest risk factors.

The dangers of smoking and inhaling cigarette smoke can increase the risk cervical cancer in women infected with HPV. The risk increases in women who smoke more for a longer period of time.

6. Maintain Diet

Eating foods with balanced nutrition can be foods that help prevent cervical cancer. Apart from consuming nutritious food, don’t forget to also avoid various foods that can trigger cancer.

Meanwhile, the types of food that should be avoided or limited in consumption because they can trigger cancer are foods high in trans fat, processed foods and drinks that contain preservatives, alcoholic beverages, and others.

7. Maintain vaginal hygiene

Most cervical cancer is detected after doing a Pap smear test due to lack of cleanliness in the vagina. Therefore, maintaining the cleanliness of intimate organs can help prevent this cancer.

However, this is meaningless You don’t need cervical cancer vaccination or screening when you have kept intimate organs clean.

8. Using the Right Underpants

In addition to maintaining vaginal hygiene, women must wear underwear made of cotton or made of cotton fiber. Cotton can’t hold moisture and keeps the vagina cool.

During menstruation, women should also change pads regularly. Likewise, women who often experience vaginal discharge must change their underwear two or three times a day.

Also Read: Various Ways to Detect Cervical Cancer Early

9. Maintain Ideal Body Weight

overweight or obesity can increase the risk of various chronic diseases, including cervical cancer. Meanwhile, underweight can also lower the immune system which makes the body more susceptible to disease.

Maintaining ideal body weight can be done by maintaining balanced nutritional food intake and regular exercise.

10. Using IUD contraception

Position iintrauterine device The correct IUD can determine success in preventing pregnancy, and the IUD also contains spermicides that can kill sperm.

A study shows that women who use IUDs are less likely to get cervical cancer. Although the effects are not entirely clear, the conditions are thought to be related with the immune system response to the IUD.

11. IVA test

Acetic acid visual inspection (IVA) is a simple examination to detect cervical cancer as early as possible. Knowing cervical cancer early can help prevent this disease.

IVA examination is screening from pap smears because it is usually practical, cheap, very easy to do, and the equipment used is simple; so that it can be done other than by a gynecologist.

This test procedure involves applying an acetic acid solution, and will usually show a discolored color on the cervix which can indicate whether cervical cancer is present or not.

Now, those are various ways to prevent cervical cancer that can be applied by every woman. Because it can occur at any age, therefore every woman must be aware of this one disease.

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