Expert talk: how to prevent gynecological malignancies

With the development of society, the improvement of living standard and the deterioration of living environment, the topic of women’s health care has become the focus of women’s friends’ attention, and we are most concerned about gynecological tumors. With the increase of age, many women will face the threat of cancer, and the common three major malignant tumors that endanger women’s health are cervical cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. In recent years, the incidence rate of cervical cancer and endometrial cancer is gradually increasing and showing a trend of youthfulness; ovarian cancer is the highest mortality rate among gynecological malignant tumors due to its early asymptomatic stage and deep location in the pelvis, which is already in advanced stage when 70-80% of the cases are found. Therefore, how to prevent and diagnose early is very necessary. For better prevention, it is very crucial to understand the basic characteristics of the disease. Cervical cancer mainly lies in prevention: human papillomavirus (HPV) is currently recognized as the most direct causative agent of cervical cancer in the world, more than 99% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infections, but the development from HPV infections to pre-cancerous lesions and then to cervical cancers is a long process, and HPV can be latent for more than ten years in vivo, and the HPV infections are mainly transmitted through sexual contacts, followed by direct contacts. Infection: For example, after coming into contact with items with HPV while bathing or using the toilet. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and can be cleared by the body’s natural immune system. If you are not infected by HPV, you will not be at risk of cervical cancer for a long period of time, and only persistent infections may eventually develop into cervical cancer. Therefore, eliminating and eradicating HPV infections can prevent cervical cancer, and it is recommended that sexually active women begin to undergo HPV screening at the age of 30. Medical research shows that early sexual life, multiple sexual partners, early marriage and childbearing, multiple births, smoking, drug addicts, poor sexual hygiene, unregulated cervical treatment and vaginal medication are high risk factors for cervical cancer. Clinical symptoms of precancerous cervical lesions include vaginal bleeding after intercourse, contact bleeding, bloody leukorrhea, and vaginal discharge with putrid odor. Therefore, if the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to have cervical HPV testing and cervical liquid-based cytology (TCT), and if the test is abnormal, further colposcopic cervical biopsy is performed to make a clear diagnosis. Cervical cancer can be prevented, the key lies in screening and early diagnosis and treatment. Endometrial cancer mainly lies in early detection: endometrial cancer is characterized by high incidence rate and low cure rate in late stage, commonly found in postmenopausal women, and its incidence peaks at the age of 50-60 years. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, infertility, late menopause, and the use of exogenous oestrogens and endogenous oestrogens are the high-risk factors of endometrial cancer. Early stage patients are asymptomatic and are usually detected incidentally during screening. The general symptoms are irregular vaginal bleeding around menopause, watery leukorrhea, prolonged bloody leukorrhea, and pain in the abdomen. Professional medical examination should be carried out for the above symptoms, color Doppler B-mode ultrasonography should be performed, and the thickness of endometrium should be noted, the thickness of endometrium should not be more than 0.5cm after menopause, and the thickness of endometrium should be more than 1cm before menopause. hysteroscopy and diagnostic scraping should be carried out if necessary. If it can be detected in early stage and treated in time, the treatment effect and prognosis will be good. Ovarian cancer mainly lies in regular checkups: “silent killer” ovarian cancer, because the ovary is located in the pelvis, the tumor is not easy to be detected, and when the tumor has grown, the abdomen is bulging, or the tumor ruptures, and abdominal pain occurs, the patient has already been diagnosed with advanced cancer, and there is often no way to save the patient’s life. In the early stage of ovarian cancer, there is no obvious uncomfortable feeling, and some patients only feel bloating, abdominal pain and indigestion. Obstetricians and gynecologists often say that women who feel bloating in their stomachs, especially middle-aged and old-aged women, should not forget to do gynecological checkups in the hospital. Therefore, women should always touch their own abdomen, it is recommended that every six months regular ultrasound to check the situation of bilateral ovaries, found cysts and lumps, regardless of size, whether the pain, should seek medical attention in a timely manner. The majority of women should raise awareness of self-care, life should pay attention to the observation of vaginal bleeding: especially after menopause vaginal irregular bleeding, contact bleeding, etc.; pay attention to the observation of leukorrhea: normal leukorrhea is a small amount of white, slightly viscous secretion. If there are pus leukorrhea, bloody leukorrhea, rice slop-like leukorrhea, watery leukorrhea, etc., they are abnormal; pay attention to self-touching lumps: in the early morning after urination and defecation on an empty stomach, lie down on the bed, slightly bend the knees, relax the abdomen, and press and touch with both hands in the lower abdomen, from light to heavy and deep, the lumps can be found, and some of them may feel pain sometimes. In conclusion, the key to the prognosis of gynecological tumor lies in early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment. Female friends should have regular gynecological examination, and it is recommended to have routine gynecological examination 1-2 times/year. Especially patients with relevant clinical symptoms need to go to the hospital in time to get timely treatment. We hope that female friends care for life and health!