Various ways of early detection of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, so early detection of cervical cancer is important. Early detection may be able to prevent cervical cancer from progressing to a more severe stage, because treatment can be done earlier. In addition, early detection can also be used as a reference for further examinations to determine the stage of cervical cancer.

Early detection options for cervical cancer

So far, the death rate from cervical cancer is quite high. This is because many women do not do early detection, so they only know they have cervical cancer when they enter an advanced stage, or even have spread.

In fact, if it is found sooner, the chances of success on treatment for cervical cancer will be much greater. That is why it is important for you to have regular cervical cancer checks. There are 3 ways to detect cervical cancer early, including:

1. Pap smear examination

One way to detect cervical cancer early is to do a pap smear examination. This examination is highly recommended for women who have been sexually active, or at least over 21 years of age and over.

This test aims to determine the possibility of abnormal cell growth in the uterus and cervix (cervix). The results of this test can later show whether there are cell changes or signs when your body has started, or will develop cancer cells in the cervix.

Based on the results of the pap smear examination, the doctor can immediately recommend and carry out treatment for cervical cancer if there is one. Cancer or precancerous cells can be prevented from growing worse.

That is why detecting cervical cancer with a pap smear is also one way to prevent cervical cancer from occurring. You can do regular pap smears. This test can be repeated every three years, especially for women in the age range 21-65 years.

Meanwhile, for women aged 30 years or over, you may have a pap smear test every 5 years when combined with early detection for other cervical cancers, namely HPV testing.

2. HPV test

Another way to detect cervical cancer that you can try is the HPV DNA examination. As the name implies, the HPV examination is a test that is performed to determine the possibility of infection with the HPV virus. This examination is done by taking and collecting cells from the cervix or cervix.

As already mentioned, you can use this method of detecting cancer at the same time as a pap smear as an effort to prevent cervical cancer.

Usually, the doctor will suggest checking for HPV if your Pap smear test results are abnormal. In this case, an HPV test is performed to confirm the presence of cancer cells in the cervix. Women who are 30 years of age or older are also advised to have this checkup every 5 years.

It is important to understand, that the HPV test is indeed one way of early detection of cervical cancer. It's just that, this examination does not actually explain that you have cervical cancer.

The HPV examination actually shows the development of the HPV virus in the body, which can be at risk of causing cervical cancer.

3. IVA examination

The IVA test is also one way to detect cervical cancer early which is recommended by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia to check the condition of the cervix. IVA is short for visual inspection with acetic acid.

When compared to a pap smear, the IVA test tends to be cheaper because the examination and results are processed directly, without having to wait for laboratory results.

How to detect cervical cancer on this one is done by using acetic acid or vinegar with a level of 3-5 percent, which is then rubbed on the cervix.

The results will also immediately reveal whether you are suspected of having cervical cancer or not. Although it sounds a little creepy, it's actually painless and only takes a few minutes.

When the cervical tissue has cancer cells, it will look like a wound, turn white, or even bleed when given acetic acid. While the cervical tissue is normal, it will not show any changes.

This examination is considered as a powerful and inexpensive early detection of the disease. In addition, the IVA test can also be done at any time.

Follow-up examination after early detection of cervical cancer

Early detection is indeed the earliest step to find out the possibility of cervical cancer. When the diagnosis points to cervical cancer, the doctor may continue with other tests to confirm it.

In other words, this follow-up examination is useful as a companion test for the various ways of early detection of cervical cancer mentioned above. The following are some follow-up examinations after you carry out early detection of cervical cancer.

1. Colposcopy

Colposcopy is a way to detect cervical cancer at an advanced stage which is usually done to confirm the development of cervical cancer cells in the body. This test is usually done after you have detected early cervical cancer or have found symptoms of cervical cancer in the body.

Detecting cervical cancer by colposcopy is not much different from a pap smear. You will be asked to lie down with your legs wide apart (straddled).

The doctor then inserts a device called a speculum into the vagina to help open and widen the passage so you can see the cervix easily.

Furthermore, a colposcope device is used to check the condition of the cervix. This tool will not be inserted into the vagina, but remain outside the body.

The colposcope is equipped with a magnifying lens, allowing the doctor to see the surface of the cervix (cervix) clearly. A weak acetic acid solution, similar to vinegar, will be applied by the doctor into the area of ​​your cervix.

This is so that changes occur in the abnormal area in the cervix. So, the possibility of developing cervical cancer cells can be more easily detected. The tissue that is deemed abnormal will be taken and examined further in the laboratory.

Pap smears during menstruation are not recommended, nor is colposcopy. It's just that detecting cervical cancer in this one way is fairly safe and is okay to do during pregnancy.

2. Cervical biopsy

Detecting cervical cancer can also be done by means of a cervical biopsy. This examination also aims to confirm the presence of cancer cells in the cervix. This means that you can find out the presence of cervical cancer in this way.

Usually, a biopsy doesn't take long. There are two ways to perform a biopsy, namely excision and incision. An excisional biopsy is a procedure to remove lumps that are growing inside the body.

While an incisional biopsy is more aimed at taking tissue samples that have the potential to develop as a disease. In this case, the biopsy used as a way to detect cervical cancer at an advanced stage is an incisional biopsy. This examination is done to determine the presence of cervical precancer and cervical cancer.

The cervical biopsy procedure can be done in 3 ways, including the following.

a. Biopsy punch

One type of biopsy as a way to detect cervical cancer is a biopsy punch, which is done by making a small hole in the cervix. Making the hole is intended so that cervical tissue can be removed.

This process is done with a special instrument called a forceps biopsy. Cervical tissue sampling with this method can be done in several different areas of the cervix. The location of the tissue collection will depend on the estimation of cervical cells that appear abnormal.

b. Cone biopsy (biopsy cone)

Another way to detect cervical cancer is to undergo a cone biopsy procedure. This type of biopsy aims to take a cone-shaped tissue sample on the cervix. This procedure, also known as conization, is usually performed using a scalpel or laser.

The tissue samples taken in this cone biopsy are generally large pieces. In this procedure, a cone-shaped tissue is taken from the outside of the cervix (exocervix), to the inside (endocervix).

However, the tissue that is removed is usually on the border between the outer area of ​​the cervix and the inner area of ​​the cervix. The reason is, precancerous cells or cervical cancer cells often originate from that area.

A cone biopsy can also be done as a treatment step to remove precancerous cell growths and very early cervical cancer cells.

3.Endocervical curettage (endocervical currettage)

Endocervical curettage is another way that can also be done to detect cervical cancer. This method is the taking of cells from the duct in the cervix (endocervix). Endocervix is ​​an area that includes the part between the uterus (uterus) and vagina.

Unlike the two previous types of cervical biopsy, endocervical curettage is performed by involving the use of a device called a curette. At the end of the curette tool, there is a small spoon or hook.

The curette device is then used to scrape the inner lining of the cervix for further examination.

Cervical cancer staging

If you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, it is necessary to check the stage of cervical cancer. The reason is, the use of cervical cancer drugs, as well as treatments for these conditions, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, can be different. Yes, this depends on the stage of cervical cancer you are experiencing.

Some of the ways you can do to detect the stage of cervical cancer are as follows.

1. Pelvic examination

The examination is done to detect the stages of cervical cancer staging is done by giving the patient anesthesia first. When you are under local anesthesia, your stomach, vagina, rectum, and bladder will be checked for cancer cells.

2. Blood test

This test is done to determine whether cancer cells have reached the liver, kidneys and spinal cord.

3. CT scan and MRI scan

Both CT scans and MRI scans, both of which can be done as a means of detecting the stage of cervical cancer. With this examination, it is easier for doctors to identify whether cancer cells have spread widely in the patient's body.

4. X-rays

Not much different from CT scans and MRI, the goal of X-rays is done to check whether cervical cancer cells have spread to the lungs.