Young Women Get Cervical Cancer, What Are the Causes?

Cervical cancer does not only occur in old age women, but this cancer can attack women at a young age. What causes young women to experience it? Check out the full explanation below.
Causes of Cervical Cancer at a Young Age
Cervical cancer in women is very dangerous because it can cause death. Therefore, it is important to recognize a number of causes to help prevent this condition.
The following are some of the causes of young women getting cervical cancer, including:
1. Having Sex Too Early
Women who have sex too early can cause their reproductive organs to be susceptible to infection with HPV (human papillomavirus).
HPV can can cause cervical cancer although most of strains The virus only causes genital warts.
2. Often Changing Partners
Infection from HPV is easily spread by various unhealthy sex activities. Having multiple partners increases your risk for cervical cancer.
3. Not Doing HPV Vaccination
HPV vaccination is mandatory and must be done by every woman. The reason is, about 30 percent of women are at risk of getting an HPV infection even if they only have sex with one partner. For that, it never hurts to prevent early.
Also Read: Various Ways to Detect Cervical Cancer Early
4. Smoking
Women who frequently smoke are also more susceptible to HPV infection and cervical cancer. When smoking, cancer cells will be triggered to come out and eventually grow to be large.
Cigarettes are known to contain chemicals that can have adverse effects such as interfering with immune function. That means, the body becomes susceptible to disease.
5. Have a history of sexually transmitted diseases
If you have been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea, the chances of contracting cervical cancer will be even greater.
In fact, the HPV virus can easily penetrate the weakened immune system.
6. Obesity
According to a retrospective analysis published in Journal of Clinical Oncologyoverweight women have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, but lower cervical pre-cancer rates.
Although several studies have reported an association between obesity and an increased incidence and death from cervical cancer, further research is needed to support this claim.
To prevent obesity, you can live a healthy lifestyle by exercising diligently and eating low-calorie foods.
Also Read: Recognizing the Characteristics of Leucorrhoea Associated with Cervical Cancer
Tips to Prevent Cervical Cancer for Young Women
Although this condition cannot be completely prevented, there are several ways that can help prevent cervical cancer, including:
1. Screening for Cervical Cancer
The best way to ensure that doctors find cervical cancer early is to have regular screening tests. The doctor can do an HPV test or a Pap smear test. Alternatively, doctors can do both together.
It is important for women aged 25-65 to have an HPV test every 5 years or a pap smear every 3 years.
2. The HPV vaccine
Besides screening, getting the HPV vaccine is the most important step to prevent cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine can protect against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer.
Pre-adolescents aged 11-12 years and women under the age of 26 should get the HPV vaccine. Women may need two or 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 contraception during sexual intercourse
HPV infection can be spread through sexual contact. Rthe risk of HPV infection is higher in women who were sexually active before the age of 18 and in women who had six or more sexual partners.
For this reason, using contraceptives such as condoms can help prevent HPV infection.
However, it’s important to note that women can still get HPV from areas not covered by condoms, such as the skin of the genitals or the area around the anus.
Also Read: 10 characteristics of cervical cancer and how to prevent it
4. No Smoking
Cigarette addiction can cause various types of cancer, including cervical cancer. This is because the toxic substances from cigarette smoke can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to kill cancer cells.
In addition, these toxins can damage or change the DNA of cells, which then causes tumors to start growing.
Research in 2019 also found that passive smoking and having a sexual partner who smokes can increase the risk of cervical cancer.
5. Meet Nutrition Intake
Some nutrients that can help protect you from HPV infection include:
- Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, are contained in fruits and vegetables.
- Polyphenols, flavonoids, lycopene and sulforaphane in plant foods and teas.
- Folate, calcium and vitamin D.
- Nuts and legumes.
Other research has found that low intake of certain nutrients, such as folate, niacin, and vitamins B6, C, and K, is associated with a higher risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).
Now, that’s the various causes of cervical cancer at a young age and how to prevent it. Hopefully this information is useful, Healthy Friends.
- Anonymous. 2018. Obese, overweight women at increased risk for cervical cancer. https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20180329/obese-overweight-women-at-increased-risk-for-cervical-cancer?platform=hootsuite. (Diaces on 20 February 2023)
- Anonymous. 2021. Cervical cancer. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/causes/. (Diaces on 20 February 2023)
- Kong, Yujia et al. 2019. Cervical cancer in women aged 25 years or younger: a retrospective study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6411317/. (Diaces on 20 February 2023)
- Richards, Louisa. 2022. 5 ways to prevent cervical cancer. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cervical-cancer-prevention. (Diaces on 20 February 2023)
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