“Cervical cancer” is the second most common cancer in women and causes up to 14 deaths per day. What many people do not know is that cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented. detectable to find a way to protect proper care and reduce the severity of the disease. In addition, we can also vaccinate against to reduce the chance of disease as well
This article therefore invites Dr. Chalida Raorungroj, a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology-gynecological oncology. Nawawet Hospital to educate about cervical cancer Including screening and prevention methods for girls to be far away from this terrible disease.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
Symptoms in the early stages of cervical cancer are often not obvious. But it can be detected by screening for cervical cancer. When symptoms become severe, there may be abnormal vaginal bleeding. bleeding during sex or abnormal vaginal discharge The symptoms in metastatic cancer Patients may also have other symptoms such as swollen legs, enlarged lymph nodes, kidney failure, blood in urine or stools.
cause
cervical cancer Caused by infection with high-risk HPV strains. The most common strains were strains 16 and 18, which were sexually transmitted.
how to prevent
In addition to getting cervical cancer vaccination Cervical cancer screening It is one way to prevent cervical cancer. Therefore, every woman should have cancer screening regularly, especially women who are sexually active. For women who have never had sex Should start checking at the age of 30 years. Currently, there are 3 methods: สมัคร ufabet
- Pap Smear
It is to smear the cells from the cervix on a glass slide to check for abnormal cells.
- Liquid Based Cytology
This involves smearing the cells from the cervix into a fluid to check for abnormal cells. which gives more clear results
- HPV Testing
is the detection of high-risk cancer strains provide more detailed results
Getting to know the cervical cancer vaccine
The cervical cancer vaccine is a vaccine that protects against infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes cancer. In Thailand, there are 3 types:
- Bivalent Vaccine
Also known as Cervarix, it can protect against HPV 16 and 18.
- Quadrivalent Vaccine
Also known as Gardasil, it can protect against HPV 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer. and protects against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts
- Nonavalent vaccine
Or called Gardasil 9, which is the latest vaccine. Can protect against 5 additional HPV strains from the Gardasil vaccine, of which the added strains are 31, 33, 45, 52, 58.
How is the HPV vaccine injected?
For this type of vaccine, it is injected into the muscle. (Intramuscular Injection or IM) in the upper arm or hip in the amount of 3 injections. The first dose can be selected on a convenient date. The second dose will be injected approximately 1-2 months. After the first dose and the third dose will be injected 6 months after the first dose.
At what age should the vaccine be vaccinated?
Vaccination in children will stimulate immunity higher than adults by vaccination 2 times can boost immunity. Equivalent to 3 doses of vaccination in adults Therefore, in children aged 9-15 years, only 2 doses of the vaccine will be injected from the age of 9 years. Both females and males. But if it’s past childhood The vaccine is most effective in people who have never been exposed to HPV or who have never had sex.
Do vaccines have any side effects?
Most of the time, the symptoms are mild and resolve on their own. and side effects at the injection site such as pain, swelling, redness and itching, so injections should be made on the side that is not dominant Some people may experience fever, headache, and a rash. No serious side effects have been reported.
Fortunately, cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented. cancer should be screened once a year by Pap smear and liquid base cytology, and every 3 years if HPV testing is used. It is still recommended to check every year as usual. Many people are scared and afraid to do cancer screening. but in fact Screening tests are not scary compared to the symptoms of cervical cancer. and suffering from treatment Screening is therefore the best prevention and treatment at every moment.
Preventive vaccination can reduce the risk of cancer. This leads to huge costs for treatment, time and other miscellaneous expenses, so it is worth the investment. However, cervical cancer vaccination should be consulted with a medical professional before making a decision. for the injected vaccine to be effective and are suitable for each individual