In a bustling corner of the city, Ms. Li's daily life seems to be uneventful. She is busy with work and family every day, putting her health behind countless to-do lists.
Until one day, she noticed something unusual in the shower - tingling pain in her lower abdomen from time to time, which she thought was a normal discomfort caused by work pressure, so she ignored it.
However, as time goes on, this pain becomes more frequent and even begins to affect daily life.
Ms. Li began to realize that it might be more than simple exertion, so she decided to go to the hospital for a check-up, and was diagnosed with early cervical cancer.
At this moment, she realized that the "quiet arrival" of cervical cancer did not carry a warning, but that she ignored the abnormal "prompts" issued by her body.
1. Insidious and misjudgment of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a typical "chronic killer", it is not impatient, silently sneaking between the cells on the cervix.
Most women often have no sensation or only mild symptoms in the early stages of cervical cancer, and like Ms. Li, they often blame work fatigue or minor ailments.
This insidious nature makes cervical cancer an easily misdiagnosed disease.
Female friends, have you ever had a similar experience? Some minor illnesses and pains are regarded as occasional protests from the body, a bowl of hot soup, a good sleep, thinking that they can be swept away.
But reality tells us that these could be warning signs that cervical cancer is sending you.
When these signals are ignored, the condition is often "dragged", and by the time it is discovered, the best time for treatment has often been missed.
2. Analysis of multiple etiologies of cervical cancer
When it comes to cervical cancer, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the human papillomavirus, or HPV. But this is just the tip of the iceberg, and the causes of cervical cancer are much more complex.
Early sexual activity, increased childbearing, long-term smoking, and long-term use of birth control pills are all factors that may increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Think about how many women around us inadvertently increase their risk of cervical cancer because they don't know this information? For example, studies have shown that women who take birth control pills for a long time have a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of cervical cancer.
Isn't this a shocking statistic?
Every choice in life can be related to our health. Just like gambling, if you bet blindly without understanding the rules, you may end up losing a mess. Understanding these causes is the beginning of mastering the rules of the game and taking care of our own health.
3. The "early warning signs" of cervical cancer cannot be ignored
In the early stages of cervical cancer, there are several clear warning signs, but unfortunately, these are often overlooked or misunderstood. The first to bear the brunt of contact bleeding is bleeding, which occurs after sex, a medical check-up, or the use of a tampon.
This phenomenon, if it occurs, should be taken into immediate attention because it may be a direct manifestation of cervical pathology. Postmenopausal women should be even more alarmed if they experience irregular vaginal bleeding, as this should not happen after hormone levels in the body have stabilized.
Another signal that is often overlooked is an abnormality in the discharge, including changes in its color, quantity, or odor. Normally, vaginal discharge should be clean and free of pungent odors.
If the discharge becomes cloudy or smelly, it could be a sign of infection or an early warning of a more serious problem such as cervical cancer. Abdominal and lumbosacral pain should not be overlooked, especially if it persists and cannot be relieved by conventional methods.
Cervical erosion is usually detected by a gynaecological examination and can be a precursor to cervical cancer. Although cervical erosion itself is not the same as cancer, it can develop into more serious lesions if not treated promptly.
Therefore, the correct identification and timely response to these "warning signs" is essential to prevent the development of cervical cancer.
4. The latest guidelines for cervical cancer screening and prevention
In order to effectively prevent cervical cancer, regular screening is essential. According to the latest American Cancer Society guidelines, it is recommended that every woman be screened for human papillomavirus (HPV) at least once every five years, starting at age 25.
For women who are unable to have a primary HPV screen, cytology every three years, or a combination of HPV and cytology every five years, is recommended.
HPV vaccination is also one of the effective ways to prevent cervical cancer. Although the vaccine does not treat an already existing HPV infection, it can prevent future infections, which can significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
Currently, HPV vaccination is recommended during the teenage years for optimal prevention.
In addition to this, healthy habits in daily life are also essential for cervical health. For example, avoiding long-term use of birth control pills can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Studies have shown that women who take birth control pills for a long time may have a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of cervical cancer. Therefore, choosing the right contraceptive method and using it under the guidance of a doctor is very important to keep the cervix healthy.
5. Cervical health measures in daily life
In cervical cancer prevention, the details of daily life cannot be overlooked. A healthy lifestyle makes a huge contribution to cervical health.
For example, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help provide enough vitamins and minerals to boost the body's immunity. In addition, regular physical exercise can also strengthen the body's resistance and reduce the chance of cervical lesions.
It should not be overlooked that healthy habits in sex life are also crucial. Measures such as avoiding early sexual activity, reducing the number of sexual partners, and using condoms can effectively reduce the risk of HPV infection.
At the same time, women should avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, as these bad habits have a non-negligible link with the occurrence of cervical cancer.
In addition to lifestyle adjustments, regular gynecological check-ups are also essential. Through a gynecological examination, the doctor can detect abnormal changes in the cervix and proceed with timely treatment or further examinations.
In addition, for women who have already given birth, postpartum cervical health care is equally important. Sexual activity should be resumed after childbirth under the guidance of a doctor, and cervical screening should be done at the appropriate time.
6. Early intervention and cure possibilities for cervical cancer treatment
Treatment for cervical cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the cancer. The success rate of early cervical cancer treatment is high, so early detection and early treatment are the keys to improving the cure rate.
In the early stages of cervical cancer, surgery is the most common form of treatment, including conization or hysterectomy. For patients with cervical cancer detected early, the five-year survival rate after surgery is usually high.
With the advancement of medical technology, radiotherapy and chemotherapy also play an important role in the treatment of cervical cancer.
In some cases, radiation and chemotherapy can be used as a supplement to surgery, or for patients who are unable to undergo surgery, become the mainstay of treatment.
It is worth mentioning that some studies are currently exploring the application of immunotherapy in the treatment of cervical cancer, which brings new hope to cervical cancer patients.
epilogue
Cervical cancer, a disease that has been daunting to countless women, is actually not invincible under the light of modern medicine.
From the little things in daily life, to regular cervical screening, to early detection and early intervention, every link is crucial.
Every woman should be the first person responsible for her own health, pay attention to her body, and be alert to possible warning signs.