[위클리 건강] The cervical cancer vaccine is available from the age of 9.. Adults are screened annually

Korean women often hesitate to see an obstetrician or a gynecologist unless they have serious abnormalities.

However, women are more likely to get different types of gynecological cancer because they experience different changes in their bodies such as menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, and menopause depending on the life cycle.

Experts advise that we need to learn more about gynecological examinations, saying that increased stress and changes in eating and smoking habits have increased the likelihood of developing the disease.

Before International Women’s Day, on the eighth day of the month, we review the characteristics and symptoms of cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer with Professor Hyun Hoon Jeong from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Seoul National University Hospital.

Get the cervical cancer vaccine starting at age 10

In general, cancer is more likely to develop with age, but cervical cancer can also occur at a young age. Therefore, the moment you start your sex life, you should start getting regular checkups.

1 in 3 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer do not have symptoms. The most common symptoms are vaginal bleeding and a foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

Professor Jeong emphasized the need for regular checkups, saying that the cervical cancer vaccine does not prevent all types of cervical cancer.

“With the National Cancer Screening Program, you can have a cervical cytology test once every two years, but the Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends an annual screening,” Professor Jeong said on Day Five.

The Korean Society of Gynecological Oncology recommends that all women between the ages of 9 and 45 be vaccinated against cervical cancer. This vaccine works best when vaccinated without sexual experience.

Professor Young explained: “It is advisable to vaccinate those who have not been vaccinated because it has a protective effect against a virus that has not been infected even after puberty or after birth.”

◇ Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women. The chances of developing ovarian cancer double when diagnosed with breast cancer

Nicknamed the “silent killer”, ovarian cancer is a very serious disease among female cancers in Korea and ranks first in mortality, although it falls outside the top ten in terms of incidence.

The reason for the high death rate from ovarian cancer is the lack of a screening test or early diagnosis method that can proactively detect ovarian cancer in modern medicine.

Professor Jung said: “Epithelial ovarian cancer, which accounts for more than 80% of ovarian cancer, has few early symptoms, and even if they had symptoms and went to hospital, more than 70% were past stage III or higher.” .

Professor Jung explained: “The US National Cancer Institute says there is no way to detect ovarian cancer early.

In general, ovarian cancer is known to be affected by menstrual period, number of pregnancies, and prolonged use of oral contraceptives. Less ovulation is associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer

“The later menstruation, the earlier the menopause, the higher the number of pregnancies, the lower the risk of ovarian cancer,” Professor Young said.

“It can be understood that breastfeeding or taking oral contraceptives after delivery reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by inhibiting ovulation,” he said.

Ovarian cancer is closely related to a history of other cancers. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or rectal cancer, be careful.

“In particular, breast cancer and ovarian cancer are closely related,” Professor Jung said. “It is known that if breast cancer is diagnosed, the chance of developing ovarian cancer doubles, and if ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the chance of developing breast cancer increases three to four times.”

◇ Cervical cancer is on the rise, but early detection is easy

Uterine cancer includes uterine sarcoma and endometrial cancer, most of which are endometrial cancer.

Cervical cancer can be diagnosed by examining the cells of the endometrium.

“Most cases of endometrial cancer occur in the late fifties and early sixties. It’s rare, but it also occurs in women before their forties or after their seventies,” he said.

Cervical cancer is prevalent in developed countries with good living conditions, and the incidence is gradually increasing in Korea, as with the increase in life expectancy and the increase in the population that enjoys a Western diet.

Professor Jeong replied, “The incidence of endometrial cancer is increased in overweight women because the production of female hormones in the peripheral adipose tissue increases.”

“Diabetes also increases the risk of endometrial cancer,” he added.

The most common symptom of cervical cancer is bleeding after menopause. Since it arises from the early stages of cervical cancer, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as symptoms are detected. If cervical cancer is detected early, the prognosis for cervical cancer is good.

“Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding occurs in approximately 90% of endometrial cancer patients,” Professor Jeong explained.

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