Let's prevent cervical cancer!

Claudia Jiménez Ángel, a professor and coordinator of the Nursing Care for Women and Newborns thematic unit, is urging women to get regular Pap smears, as this is the first test to identify any abnormalities in the cervix. This type of cancer is now considered a public health problem in Colombia.

Cervical cancer causes the death of more than 2,500 women each year in the country. For example, during 2020 there were almost 5,000 new cases in which 2,490 women lost their lives, making this cancer the third most common in women and the fourth leading cause of death, according to Globocan figures.

According to Professor Jiménez, most cases of cervical cancer occur in developing countries, and their impact is related to poor sanitary conditions; the ideal method for detection will always be repeated cytology.

“It is important to note that implementing screening programs has reduced mortality rates by up to 801% with strategies that include educating the population, actively searching for women, and providing timely delivery of cytology results,” the teacher stated.

Next, Dr. Jiménez explains the risk factors, diagnosis, and even preventive actions to consider regarding this disease, which were covered in the prevention talk:

Risk factors

High-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection 16 and 18

Low socioeconomic level

No screening in the last 3 years

Initiation of sexual relations before the age of 16

Having more than 5 sexual partners

Having more than 2 children

Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer:

For the diagnosis of cervical cancer in Colombia, screening tests are used as established by resolution 3280 of 2018 and are included in the benefits plan that must be offered by the EAPB (Health Benefits Plan Administrators), such as:

Conventional cytology or liquid-based cytology: It is recommended for women aged 25 to 29, or younger than 25 with a history or risk factors for cervical cancer.

HPV DNA test: It is recommended for women aged 30 to 65.

Visual inspection techniques, which are recommended for women between 30 and 50 years old who live in rural areas.

“It is important to understand that the diagnosis for cervical cancer must be made through a confirmatory test called Colposcopy and Biopsy, which must be ordered for every woman with an abnormal or positive screening test and can only be performed by a gynecologist,” Jiménez said.

Promotion and prevention actions:

“The clinical practice guide from the Ministry of Health establishes the following actions for health promotion and disease prevention,” Jiménez mentioned.

Use of condom

HPV vaccine

A suitable diet rich in beta-carotene

No smoking

Starting sexual relations late

Improve eating habits to maintain healthy habits

Engage in vigorous aerobic physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week

Participate in the cervical cancer early detection program

To continue the process of diagnosis and treatment of cervical lesions

Carry out the follow-up according to the specialist's instructions.

“Currently, Colombia is in the process of eliminating cervical cancer with goals for the year 2030 based on the 90-70-90 strategy, a World Health Organization campaign that consists of achieving complete vaccination coverage of the 3-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in girls at age 15, screening the target population of the program using high-performance tests, and treating the number of women diagnosed with cervical disease,” concluded Professor and Coordinator Jiménez.

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