From the case of a young actress Mai - Sukonthawa Kerdnimit, she was diagnosed with a "pre-cancer condition", which is a risk that could lead to cervical cancer in the future.
Let's get to know more about this condition.
What is a pre-cancer condition?
For the "pre-cancer condition" that the young actress has detected is at risk of cervical cancer.
with an abnormal uterine condition
In stage 3, which is the highest level, which Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chaiyot Teerapakawong, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital
The pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix have been described as follows.
When a woman gets HPV
almost all of which is from sexual intercourse
Most of the time, the body will be able to limit it by about 90% within 6-12 months. Cancer divided into 3 stages
Pre-cancerous stage 1 is a change in approximately 1/3 of the cells in the lower layer of the cervical epithelium.
At this stage, approximately 80% of patients will recover from this disease on their own within about 1 year.
At first, you may not need any treatment.
Only periodic follow-up appointments are sufficient. But if it is found that there are still lesions left, there are several methods of treatment, such as cryotherapy, electrocautery or laser, which provide similar results.
Alternatively, a cone-shaped excision of the cervix may be used.
Depending on the detection and discretion of the doctor.
Pre-cancerous stage 2 will have cell changes in the cervical epithelium up to 2/3 from the lower layers and pre-cancerous stage 3, which is the highest stage, will have cell changes throughout the thickness of the cervical epithelium.
At this stage, doctors tend to let patients receive treatment at all.
Because if left untreated, it may eventually develop into cervical cancer.
Using the same treatment method as the treatment for pre-cancer stage 1
pre-cancer condition
Can it be prevented?
However, pre-cancerous conditions
It usually takes about 10 years for it to develop into cervical cancer. These abnormalities can be detected by screening for cervical cancer by Pap smear once a year. It can be detected at this stage and the treatment of the disease is easy.
have low cost
And there is almost a 100% chance of getting rid of the disease. There are also relatively few complications from treatment.
As a result, the patient has a good quality of life and may also be able to keep the uterus for future pregnancies.
But it is still necessary to undergo a follow-up examination after every treatment by a doctor.
Things to know about cervical cancer screening
1. Women should start screening for cervical cancer.
About 3 years after starting to have sex or at the age of 21
2. Interval of cervical cancer screening
If it's a Pap smear test, it should be done every year, if it's a liquid-based cytology test, it should be done every 2 years.
3. If the cervical cancer screening results
It was normal 3 times in a row and there were no other risk factors.
To the incidence of cervical cancer, such as having a history of emergency contraception, HIV infection or immune deficiency from organ transplantation
or receiving chemotherapy, smoking, having multiple sexual partners, having sex at a young age, etc. Cervical cancer screening may be spaced every 2-3 years.
4. Patients with compromised immune systems such as organ transplantation, chemotherapy, continuous steroid therapy, or HIV infection should be tested twice a year for the first year, and once a year thereafter.
5. People who have had a hysterectomy do not need to be tested for cervical cancer.
Except for patients who had previously been diagnosed with pre-cancerous conditions.
or patients who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer
should have an internal examination for at least 10 years
References: Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology
Chulalongkorn Hospital