Cervical cancer, popularly known as cervical cancer, is one of the types of cancer that has spread rapidly among women in recent years. Smoking is one of the main causes of this type of cancer, which is spread by the sexually transmitted HPV virus. In this article, I will give information about the causes of cervical cancer and the importance of the PAP smear test in the diagnosis of cancer.
Cervical Cancer (Cervical Cancer)
The main cause of cervical cancer is not known. However, some factors increase the risk of cancer, although the exact cause is not known. The most important factor in the development of cancer is the HPV virus. In cases of cervical cancer caused by this virus, 1 woman dies every 2 minutes due to lack of timely screening tests and controls. Apart from sexually transmitted HPV, smoking is also an important risk factor in cervical cancer, as in other types of cancer.
Importance of PAP Smear Test in Cancer Diagnosis
Cervical cancer can be detected early with regular screening and examinations. As a result of examinations, cancer can be controlled and, if detected early, treated. The most common screening method to diagnose cervical cancer is the PAP smear test. The smear test, which every woman with an active sexual life should have done regularly once a year, determines whether there is cancer formation in the cervix, whether there are abnormal structures that have not turned into cancer but have cancer-marker lesions. In this way, the patient can regain his/her health with early diagnosis and treatment.
The PAP smear test is a test that every woman over the age of 21 who has an active sex life should have at least once a year. If active sexual life started before the age of 21, it is important to have a smear test within the first 3 years from the age of onset. Smear tests should be continued during menopause. However, if a person has at least three normal smear tests after the age of 65, the tests can be stopped. In addition, if a suspicious situation is detected in the smear test results, the test may be performed more frequently than once a year or the person may be subjected to further tests.
