Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Become Pregnant With HPV|cervical cancer infertility
- Overview of HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer
- Does cervical cancer affect women's fertility?
- What are the treatments for cervical cancer that do not affect fertility?
- 1. Radical trachelectomy
- 2. Cone biopsy
- 3. LLETZ (Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone)
- Prevent cervical cancer by vaccination
Medical Video: How to Become Pregnant With HPV|cervical cancer infertility
Cervical cancer is a scourge for women all over the world. Apart from being life threatening, there is an assumption that cervical cancer affects fertility unable to have offspring. However, is this presumption correct?
Overview of HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. This cancer attacks the mouth and cervix due to abnormal cell changes in the cervix, the result of infection with the HPV virus. This virus is often transmitted sexually, but can also be transmitted from skin to skin contact (skin to skin).
There are more than 100 different types of HPV. Of these, around 40 are spread during sex and around 15 can cause cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are the types most commonly found as causes of cervical cancer.
Bradley J. Monk, MD, Professor in the Division of Gynecological Oncology at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine, said that the spread of HPV is very common, nearly 75 percent of women experience it and only detect it in their 50s. This is because this virus can settle in the body without showing any symptoms.
The spread of HPV is so extensive that even having only one sexual partner can increase the risk of contracting this virus. Nearly 30 percent of women tested positive for HPV within one year of having sex with their partners.
Does cervical cancer affect women's fertility?
The HPV virus itself should not have a major impact on fertility. However, there are studies that find that HPV-positive patients are less likely to become pregnant than those who do not have the virus.
Researchers suspect that the embryo may have difficulty developing in women whose immune systems have contracted the HPV virus. However, it is pre-cancerous cell treatment that usually increases your risk of not getting pregnant.
It's good, when you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, consult your doctor to find out what the best treatment you should live. Usually the doctor will provide several choices that you can take so as not to interfere with fertility.
Hysterectomy and radiotherapy are treatments for cervical cancer which, although effective, can reduce or even eliminate your chances of getting pregnant. Hysterectomy is the treatment of cervical cancer by removing your uterus. While radiotherapy is a type of treatment that will inhibit and prevent the work of the ovary, therefore after this treatment you will most likely not be able to get pregnant.
What are the treatments for cervical cancer that do not affect fertility?
In some cases, women with cervical cancer can still get pregnant and have children. Medications that help maintain fertility are not necessarily suitable for every woman. For that, consult your doctor to find out which treatment best suits you.
If your cancer is still in its early stages, there are 3 ways you can do that is radical trachelectomy, cone biopsy, and LLETZ. All three still allow you the opportunity to have children.
1. Radical trachelectomy
It is done by removing all cancer cells by leaving openings in the cervix. The part is then sewn and leaves a small hole for your menstrual flow. This method is expected to support pregnancy until the birth of a baby through a cesarean section. However, this method increases the risk of giving birth to a premature baby.
2. Cone biopsy
Performed by removing a piece of cone-shaped cervix. This cutting is done in the part of the cell of the cervix which is most likely to be abnormal and trigger cancer. If you do this treatment, there is a chance that your baby will experience premature birth.
3. LLETZ (Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone)
A transformation zone is an area of the cervix where abnormal cells tend to develop. LLETZ removes abnormal cells in the area, usually with local anesthesia. Similar to cone biopsy, this treatment also allows you to experience premature birth. This depends on the amount of cervical tissue taken.
Prevent cervical cancer by vaccination
According to the Globocan data in 2012, more than one woman in Indonesia died every hour because of cervical cancer, and there were 58 new cases reported every day. Of all new cases, 70% of the cases found were women with advanced cervical cancer. This figure shows the lack of awareness of Indonesian women regarding the importance of prevention and early detection of an illness.
The World Health Organization states, actions that can be taken to prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer is through HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine protects you against the four most serious types of HPV, two of which cause cervical cancer and two that cause genital warts. Vaccination makes the body form antibodies to the HPV virus, so the incoming virus will die and not cause cancer.
The HPV vaccine has proven to be very effective in reducing HPV infection. A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that women who received the vaccine were more than 40 percent more likely to have normal Pap results than those who were not vaccinated. This vaccine is recommended to be done as early as possible since a 9 year old woman. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is considering expanding the range of HPV vaccines by the age of 5 years.
In addition to vaccination, early detection is also needed to prevent cancer cells from developing. Pap test orPAP smear used to help detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancerous cervix and subsequently develop into cancer. This test is done for those who are married or have had sexual relations.
Various precautions are very wise to do because health is your future investment.
