What You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer

What You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer ranks 4th among the most common cancers worldwide, but rises to 2nd place in women under 45 years old. Every year, 604,000 women develop cervical cancer globally, and approximately half of these patients die from the disease. Cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers worldwide, can actually be prevented through regular screening. Prof. Dr. Serkan Erkanlı, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology Surgery at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital; Head of the Department of Gynecological Oncology Surgery at Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine: "The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is oncogenic human papillomavirus, and these viruses are responsible for 99% of the disease. HPV vaccines that prevent oncogenic HPV infection represent the most effective protection method against this type of cancer. Thanks to vaccines, the risk of developing cervical cancer can be prevented at rates ranging from 70-90%. Other preventive methods are screening programs using smear and HPV-based tests. Through these screening tests, cervical cancer can be prevented at an early stage, even before it develops. It is important to apply the correct treatment as soon as possible when cervical cancer is diagnosed," he said. However, certain incorrect information believed to be true in society about cervical cancer can delay early diagnosis and treatment. Prof. Dr. Serkan Erkanlı, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology Surgery, explained 10 pieces of misinformation about cervical cancer that are commonly believed to be true:

Cervical cancer does not occur at a young age: FALSE!

The truth: Cervical cancer generally occurs in women aged 35-45 years. However, this type of cancer can occur in older age groups as well as in women younger than 35 years old. In fact, approximately 60,000 women under 35 years of age are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year worldwide. In women younger than 21 years old, the risk of cervical cancer is very low.

Cervical cancer progresses insidiously and has no symptoms: FALSE!

The truth: Pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix generally do not cause symptoms. For this reason, conducting screening programs in women without any complaints is vital. Cervical cancer, depending on the stage at which it is found, may present symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and bleeding after intercourse. In later stages, it may manifest with irregular intermenstrual bleeding, pain in the groin and abdominal area, and if cancer has progressed further, with pain radiating to the kidneys or legs and swelling in the legs.

Cervical cancer cannot be detected early: FALSE!

The truth: Cervical cancer can be detected early, and can even be detected while still in the pre-cancerous lesion stage. It takes approximately 15-20 years for pre-cancerous lesions to transform into cervical cancer. In women with weakened immune systems, this period can be reduced to 5-10 years. This timeframe allows pre-cancerous lesions to be detected through smear and HPV-based tests before they transform into cancer.

Cervical cancer does not occur in women with a single sexual partner: FALSE!

The truth: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is largely transmitted sexually. HPV acquired from a relationship with a single partner can cause cellular abnormalities, and if not detected early, can lead to cancer.

I have no complaints, so I don't need to have a smear test: FALSE!

The truth: Pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix do not cause any complaints. Symptoms only appear when cancer develops. For this reason, smear testing, which is cervical cancer screening, should begin at age 21 without any symptoms, and HPV-based tests should begin at ages 25-30 and onwards.

To protect myself from cervical cancer, I should have frequent smear tests: FALSE!

The truth: Smear testing, which detects cellular changes that can develop into cervical cancer, begins at age 21 and continues every 3 years until age 65. Prof. Dr. Serkan Erkanlı, noting that more successful results are obtained with HPV-based screening tests, states: "While a single smear test can detect pre-cancerous lesions at a rate of 55%, a single HPV test can detect these lesions at a rate of 95%. Therefore, HPV testing is added to smear testing after age 30. When HPV-based tests show normal results, the next test is recommended every 5 years." In risky situations or when results are abnormal, timeframes for both tests may be shortened. If there is no risky situation, frequent smear testing does not significantly increase the chances of early cervical cancer diagnosis, and may also lead to unnecessary biopsy procedures due to anxiety and the possibility of error.

The vaccine is not beneficial after HPV infection: FALSE!

The truth: Prof. Dr. Serkan Erkanlı, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology Surgery, states that while HPV vaccines are more effective before exposure to HPV, they also provide benefits after this infection has occurred: "There are approximately 14 types of oncogenic human papillomavirus that lead to cervical cancer. A patient infected with one of these can be protected against other types contained in HPV vaccines. Additionally, the immunity provided by vaccines against this virus shows a stronger effect than the immunity developed by the body against the infection," he says.

After vaccination, I don't need to have a smear test: FALSE!

The truth: Although HPV vaccines are largely protective against cervical cancer, they cannot prevent cervical cancer at a 100% rate. Therefore, it is vital that routine cervical cancer screening is not neglected after vaccination.

The presence of abnormal cells in a smear test means cervical cancer: FALSE!

The truth: Prof. Dr. Serkan Erkanlı, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology Surgery, notes that when smear test results are abnormal, patients must be carefully evaluated: "The presence of abnormal cells indicates an increased likelihood of pre-cancerous lesions. However, this situation does not mean that the patient has cervical cancer. What is more important here is that the rate of cellular abnormalities in pre-cancerous lesions is increased compared to normal smear test results. Depending on the degree of cellular abnormality in these patients, a cervical biopsy may be necessary. In this way, pre-cancerous lesions can be detected and treated at an early stage, thus preventing cervical cancer," he says.

My HPV test came back positive, I will develop cervical cancer: FALSE!

The truth: More than 80% of women become infected with HPV at least once during their lifetime. However, the body's immune system clears HPV infection in more than 90% of patients within 2-3 years. In 10% of patients, HPV infection becomes persistent. "It is very important that this group of patients be closely monitored, and that pre-cancerous lesions be detected and treated early," warns Prof. Dr. Serkan Erkanlı, stating: "Since not every HPV leads to cancer, when a test comes back positive, biopsy may be performed or the patient may need to be closely followed based on which HPV type the patient is infected with and the results of the smear test."