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What causes cervical cancer (CC)?
- In most of the cases cervical cancer (CC) is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV);
- HPV is spread mainly through sexual contact. Most of adults can be HPV carriers;
- In most of the cases there are no symptoms of contamination and HPV disappears on its own. However, in some women HPV continues to spread and these women constitute a risk group of developing cervical cancer;
- Vaccination is now available to everyone who wants to be protected from HPV. However, it does not exclude necessity to continue undergoing regular examination. Screening (as an active hyperlink to screening) and vaccination will provide you with maximum protection against cervical cancer.
CC is caused by certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV and approximately 15 of those cause formation of atypical cells of cervical epithelium, which can transform afterwards into cancer cells. Most of women get rid of virus within 6-24 months after contamination and they are not even aware of it. However, in some women virus continues to spread and these women with durable carriage of virus are in a risk group of developing cervical cancer.
How can one get infected with HPV?
Genital types of HPV are usually spread through sexual contact or through skin-to-skin contact; skin-mucous tunic contact and through some other ways. HPV is widely spread and most of adults get infected with it sooner or later.
How to protect yourself?
Despite the fact that condom is very effective for protection against other infections, it cannot fully protect from HPV infection, probably due to the fact that virus is discovered on the surrounding tissue. Vaccination is now available to any woman who wants to protect herself of two of the most widespread types of HPV, 16 and 18, causing almost two thirds of cases of HPV and appearance of atypical smears from the uterus neck (Pap-tests). These vaccines are the most effective if they are introduced before beginning of sexual life before contacting the virus of types 16 and 18, but they do not have a full effect against other types of HPV. Therefore, even if you are vaccinated, do not forget to continue undergoing regular examinations. Screening and vaccination will provide you with maximum protection against cervical carcinoma.
Can genital HPV infection be cured?
There is treatment against the types of HPV which cause formation of genital condylomas, but it is not effective against HPV, which causes cervical cancer. It is a good thing that in most of the cases HPV infection disappears on its own during 6-24 months without any problems.
Does HPV affect pregnancy?
HPV causing cervical cancer is very widespread and we do not know, whether it affects pregnancy. If you are infected with HPV, it should not affect usual obstetric practice.
What is a HPV test?
HPV test is used in order to find out HPV in your organism. Notwithstanding the fact that there is no treatment of the virus, discovery of a dangerous type of virus helps to define whether you are in the risk group developing HPV. If not, your risk is very low and you can safely continue your regular examinations. If you are infected with HPV and it does not leave your organism, you should be observed more closely and frequently in order to find the occurrence of atypical cells on time and to get proper treatment. Due to the fact that HPV is widely spread, but it does not live long in the body of young women, HPV test is not recommended for women younger than 30 years of age. It is not also recommended because it will be discovered with too many women, but will disappear on its own.
How to evaluate the results of HPV test?
HPV test is most effectively used for observation of women who do not have normal cytological smears (Pap-tests). They are called smears with obscure meaning smears (ASCUS).
- If HPV test is negative, than risk of CC development is very low. It is recommended to repeat the Pap-test in a year.
- If HPV test is positive, than risk of CC development is higher and it is recommended to do colposcopy in order to examine the neck of uterus. If any pathology is discovered during colposcopy, your gynecologist will tell you, how you should be better observed and what to do next.
According to information of European Cervical Cancer Association (ECCA)
