Cervical cancer – 6 myths that we will dispel forever
Cervical cancer – we only say the word softly and gently, because the dreaded disease of women is really serious. The good news is that cervical cancer can be prevented by timely detection with regular screening. Visit a gynecologist regularly and get information, because a disease detected in time can be cured with medical treatment.
Let’s see the most common misconceptions about cervical cancer!
Myth #1: Cervical cancer can be genetically inherited
Cervical cancer is caused by a viral disease, HPV strains, especially high-risk types responsible for this life-threatening condition. Science knows at least 100, according to other sources, 200 strains, but at least 14 high-risk HPV strains can cause cervical cancer.
Myth #2: HPV infection can develop into cervical cancer very quickly
Our bodies are extremely effective at treating infections, so it can fight most HPV infections, yes, even high-risk ones. However, the incubation period of HPV is at least 3 months, at which time most known strains can be detected by screening, but such a condition leads to cervical cancer only after years.
Myth #3: All HPV infections cause cervical cancer
Fortunately, this is not true either, as we write above, only high-risk HPV strains are responsible for the development of cervical cancer, but even such infections are in most cases defeated by our immune system on its own.
Myth #4: Condoms protect you from cervical cancer.
Unfortunately, condoms don’t protect you one hundred percent either. The HPV strains that cause cervical cancer spread extremely easily and are the most common sexually transmitted disease. Condoms do not cover the penis as a whole, on the other hand, viruses spread easily through skin-to-skin contact and mucous membrane contact, and even oral sex is no exception.
Myth #5: Cervical cancer only affects heterosexual people
This is not true either, since we can transmit the virus to our partner through direct touch, it does not require vaginal penetration with penis, so the virus can be transmitted even in gay relationships. Annual screening for cervical cancer is recommended for everyone (including men!).
Myth #6 The gynecologist will think bad of me
Believe me, doctors have seen quite a few different cases, and their job is not to judge you, but rather to resolve the situation if it turns out that HPV has been found in your body. Yes, he will ask you about your sex life, how many partners you have had, what defenses you use, but these are important information for him to make a diagnosis and treatment. If you don’t feel safe with a specialist, listen to your intuition and find another doctor.