Cervical cancer: early detection

0


What is it about ?

Cervical cancer most often starts in the area where the cervix and the wall of the vagina transitions. It is due to contamination by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Among the hundreds of variants of the human papillomavirus, only a few can cause cancer. Contamination takes place by sexual contact. Most infections go away on their own, otherwise the virus can cause cancer.

Development

Cervical cancer grows very slowly after several precancerous stages. Abnormal cells appear and can develop into cancer cells. In one in three cases, the cells become cancerous, that is, one Cancer expands. It can take years.

Screening

a smear helps detect abnormal cells and HPV virus. To do this, the doctor scrapes (rubs) the cervix with a small brush or plastic spatula intended to remove the mucous membrane containing cells. The sample is then spread on a slide (slide sample).

Currently, more and more often, this method is no longer used. Another type of brush is used; the brush with the collected material is sent to a specific liquid (liquid phase sampling).

Exam

The purpose of the examination is to screen as soon as possible cervical cancer or the changes that precede cervical cancer, and treat it as soon as possible. A large group of healthy-appearing women are recommended to have this test every 3 to 5 years. In Belgium, these are all women between 25 and 65 years old. The test is not compulsory; only women who want to pass it.

Women who no longer have a uterus and those who are not sexually active are not at risk of developing cervical cancer.

How common is cervical cancer?

In Belgium, this cancer represents 1% of all new cancers discovered in adult women. In Belgium, in 2017, 622 new cases of cervical cancer were registered. Of all cancers that appear in women, about one in 50 cancers is cervical cancer. In 2017, this cancer occupied the 13th position in the ranking of the most frequent cancers in women.

How to recognize it?

Often, for years there are no symptoms. The most common symptom is a vaginal bleeding between periods, during sex and after sex.

How is the diagnosis made?

the smear is carried out by the general practitioner or the gynecologist, in his office or in a specialized center such as a family planning center for example.

  • The doctor will first explain to you what he is going to do and what will be the different steps to follow once he has the results.
  • For the actual examination, the doctor must first insert a speculum. With a lamp, he observes the cervix.
  • He will take cells from the cervix and send them to the laboratory.
  • If, on observation, the doctor can already see suspicious lesions, he will not do a smear, but will refer you to a gynecologist for a biopsy. A piece of tissue will then be taken to be examined under a microscope.

What can you do ?

  • There is a vaccine against the most dangerous types of HPV.
    • Since the infection can be transmitted very early, it is best to have young girls vaccinated before they have sex for the first time. Girls receive two doses of the vaccine free of charge. Protection is effective for at least 7 years.
  • Make a smear every three years to 5 years
    • To do this, you can simply contact your general practitioner. There is no need to take the exam every year. The smear is still absolutely necessary, even if you are vaccinated. Contamination cannot be completely avoided.
  • the condom does not offer absolute protection against HPV, but it reduces the risk of contamination by 70%. It is therefore certainly useful, also to protect against other sexually transmitted infections.

What can the doctor do?

If the smear shows atypical or suspicious cells, the doctor will refer you to a gynecologist for an exam that shows the cervix (colposcopy) and a biopsy of the lesion. If there are malignant cells, the gynecologist will perform a conization the cervix; it is an operation during which part of the cervix in the shape of a cone is removed using a laser or an electric loop.

Want to know more?

Are you looking for more specialized help?

    Sources