Peru is one of the countries with the highest mortality rate of cervical cancer or cervical cancer in South America. Eighty percent of the cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, a situation that hinders the patient’s recovery. Every year 4,270 new cases are reported and 2,288 women die from this neoplasm, according to health sector records. Dr. Marco Sánchez Salcedo, gynecologic oncologist of our clinic, gives us valuable information about cervical cancer.

What is the leading cause of cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer, or cervical cancer, is one of the most common malignant neoplasms among Peruvian women and is almost always caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted.  Herein lies the importance of having routine gynecological check-ups, completing the treatment (in case the gynecologist has found a lesion) and getting vaccinated against HPV.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

In our country, the HPV vaccine is a single dose, and it is recommended that girls and boys be immunized between 9 and 12 years of age. This vaccine not only helps prevent cervical cancer, but also other less frequent cancers such as vulvar, vaginal and penile cancer, among others.

Other risk factors that can lead to cervical cancer

The most important risk factor for developing this neoplasm is HPV; however, the initiation of sexual relations at an early age, promiscuity, smoking, malnutrition, multiparity, sexually transmitted infections, immunosuppression and prolonged use of oral contraceptives can also trigger this condition, which usually manifests itself in women over 45 years of age, although there is a tendency to occur at a younger age.

What are the symptoms?

In its initial stage, cervical cancer does not generate discomfort or has non-specific symptoms such as vaginal discharge, urinary discomfort, pelvic pain, among others. When the disease progresses, postcoital bleeding, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, moderate pelvic pain appear, and in advanced cases there may be edema of the lower limbs, anuria (absence of urine) and renal failure.

Treatment of cervical cancer according to its phases

This disease has 4 stages, and the treatment varies according to the circumstances. In the first stage, the treatment can be cononization, simple or radical hysterectomy; in the second and third stage, a combination of chemotherapy with radiotherapy is performed; and in the fourth stage, the management is palliative with chemotherapy.

Remember:

Cervical cancer is preventable. Don’t forget to visit your gynecologist regularly and have a Pap test once a year, HPV screening, and a visual inspection with acetic acid or cerviscopy, in order to detect precancerous lesions and treat them as appropriate.

Dr. Marco Sánchez Salcedo
Gynecologic oncologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma