Cervical cancer

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that targets the uterine cells of the cervix. The cause begins when cells in the cervix develop abnormally.

Gradually, the development becomes more massive and uncontrolled, thus forming a tumor. Well, this malignant tumor will later cause cervical cancer.

This condition is one of the types of cancer that causes the most victims in women throughout the world.

According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, at least 15,000 cases of cervical cancer are reported each year in Indonesia.

Unfortunately, early detection of cervical cancer through routine Pap smear examinations is still not a public concern.

Moreover, this disease rarely shows symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms usually only appear when the cancer has started to spread and has entered an advanced stage.

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

There are a number of factors that make women susceptible to cervical cancer. Some of them, namely:

• Hereditary factors.

• Age, especially women aged 40 years and over.

• Smoke.
• Lack of fruit and vegetable consumption.
• Excessive body weight (obesity).

• Long-term use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills).

• Frequency of pregnancy and childbirth.
• Pregnant or giving birth at a very young age.
• Certain medical conditions, such as chlamydia infection.

• Consuming certain medications.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. This viral infection is very susceptible to targeting individuals who have sexual relations with multiple partners.

High-risk sexual behavior, such as sex without a condom or sharing sex toys that are not washed first can also increase the risk.

Apart from that, women who have never received the HPV vaccine (immunization) are also at greater risk of being infected with HPV which can cause this cancer.