Early Marriage Increases Risk of Cervical Cancer

Early marriage is a phenomenon that still happens a lot in Indonesia. In fact, getting married at a young age can cause health problems in intimate organs. Is it true that early marriage triggers cervical cancer? Check out the full explanation below.

Facts About Young Marriage and Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a condition of the body when there is abnormal cell growth in the cervix. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by some type of infection human papillomavirus (HPVs).

However, not everyone who has an HPV infection will develop cervical cancer. Cancer will form when some types of HPV cause changes in the DNA of cells to form cancer cells.

All women who are sexually active or have had sexual intercourse are at risk for cervical cancer. The risk increases because having sex will increase the risk of exposure to HPV.

When married, generally men and women will have sexual intercourse. This can increase the risk of exposure to HPV so that the risk of cervical cancer will also increase.

The Law of the Republic of Indonesia states that early marriage is a marriage that takes place under the age of 19.

In their teens or around the age of 14, women will experience the development of reproductive function right after their first menstruation.

However, actually in adolescence the female reproductive organs are not fully developed so it is difficult to fight exposure to the HPV virus.

In addition, changes in the reproductive organs that occur during puberty can also make the cervical area more susceptible to damage. This condition can cause DNA mutations that eventually lead to cervical cancer.

Also Read: Types of Exercise You Can Do to Prevent Cervical Cancer

How to Avoid Cervical Cancer

Actually, there is no way that can guarantee you can avoid cervical cancer completely. However, there are several ways that can help reduce risk, including:

1. Screening Routine Cervical Cancer

The best way to confirm cervical cancer as early as possible is to have regular checkups. Doctors generally recommend having a pap smear every 3 years.

Through this examination, abnormal cells can be identified that have the potential to develop into cancer. The earlier these cells are detected, the better cervical cancer can be handled.

2. The HPV vaccine

Receiving the HPV vaccine is an important step that can be taken to prevent cervical cancer. This vaccine can protect the body from various types of HPV.

All women under the age of 26 are recommended to receive this vaccine. Each individual can receive two to three doses depending on age.

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.

3. Using condoms during sexual intercourse

HPV is a virus that is spread through sexual intercourse. To prevent this, you can use a condom when having sex. This step can help protect women from HPV infection.

Also Read: 10 important characteristics of cervical cancer to watch out for

4. Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoke can cause various types of cancer, including cervical cancer.

Toxic compounds in cigarette smoke can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to kill cancer cells. In addition, poisons can damage and change the DNA of cells, so that tumors begin to form.

Not only women need to quit smoking. Men may also need to quit smoking. The reason is, nicotine and other compounds in cigarettes can pass through the cervix through semen, so that the immune system decreases and affects the body’s ability to fight cancer.

5. Implementing a Healthy Diet

Several compounds in food can help protect the body from HPV infection, including:

• Antioxidants, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E in fruits and vegetables.
• Polyphenols, flavonoids, lycopene, and sulforaphane can be found in vegetables and teas.
• Folate, calcium and vitamin D
• Nuts.

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