How to treat cervical cancer? Six common misunderstandings about cervical cancer treatment

Cervical cancer vaccination and pasteurized smear tests have enabled humans to detect and treat cancer at an early stage. However, female friends still have many misunderstandings about cervical cancer, which seriously affects the cure rate of patients.

Myth 1: Cervical cancer cannot be prevented.

Explanation: People's behavioral habits, such as multiple sexual partners, smoking and other bad habits, will significantly increase the risk of cancer, so changing these living conditions and regular physical examinations can reduce the incidence rate. It is recommended that women over 9 years old be vaccinated against cervical cancer. On the same day, the British government also issued a statement that women over 12 years old will be included in the vaccination plan.

Myth 2: Since the vaccine can prevent cervical cancer, you will not get cancer even if you do not use a condom after vaccination.

Explanation: Currently, the cervical cancer vaccine can only prevent four types of human papillomavirus, but for other causes of cervical cancer, the new vaccine is still useless. Continuing to use condoms can reduce more cervical cancer.

Myth 3: I am still young, so I don’t need to worry about cervical cancer and don’t need to get checked at all.

Explanation: In recent years, the age of cervical cancer has become younger and younger. Therefore, women should undergo their first Pap test at the age of 21 or after 3 years of sexual intercourse, and consult their doctor about how long to do it. Even if you have been vaccinated, you still need to do a Pap test.

In fact, age doesn't mean anything; even if you've reached menopause, had a hysterectomy, or are over 65, a Pap smear test is still necessary.

Myth 4: A gynecological exam is a Pap smear test and a positive result must be cancer.

Explanation: A Pap test collects cells from the cervix and sends them to a lab for measurement; a gynecological exam is a physical examination of the cervix and other appendages by the doctor, which is different. However, they are very important for early diagnosis.

In addition, if the Pap smear test result is positive, it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. Further examinations are needed, such as human papillomavirus testing, colposcopy, or biopsy of related cancer cells, to confirm the diagnosis. On the contrary, if there are problems such as bleeding and pain, further treatment should be given even if the Pap smear test result is normal.

Myth 5: Cervical cancer has no symptoms and one can only wait for death after diagnosis.

Explanation: Bleeding after sexual intercourse and intermittent menstrual bleeding are signs of cervical cancer, as are other abnormal discharges or local pelvic pain.

The survival rate of patients with early cervical cancer is relatively high. In addition, cervical cancer recurrence mainly occurs within 2 years after treatment, and once it is 5 years, the risk of recurrence is very low.

Myth 6: Cervical cancer must be removed, but you will not be able to have children after the operation and menopause will come early.

Explanation: Hysterectomy is the conventional treatment for early cervical cancer, but it is not the only option. Conization and radical trachelectomy can avoid hysterectomy, and women can retain their right to motherhood as much as possible without affecting their survival.

Of course, after a hysterectomy, since the ovaries are not removed to determine the physiological characteristics of women, early menopause is not common and patients do not have to worry too much.