Cervical Cancer: A Hidden Danger Women Often Overlook

For women, cervical cancer is a disease that requires serious attention. People often do not panic much about this cancer because it occurs deep inside the body. Most women tend to be more aware of breast cancer or cancers that are visible from outside the body. However, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among Thai women, with mortality rates remaining high for the past 30–40 years. Therefore, there has been continuous campaigning to fight against cervical cancer. It is considered a top priority because currently, there are about 10,000 new cervical cancer patients each year. That averages to about 27 people per day. The death toll from cervical cancer is approximately 5,200 people annually, or 14 people per day.

In the past, when discussing cancer, one major medical challenge was not knowing the exact causes of different types of cancer. Prevention was difficult, so early detection and prompt treatment were the main strategies. Cervical cancer, however, is caused by infection with a specific virus called HPV (Human Papillomavirus). This is currently the only type of cancer whose cause is clearly identified by medicine.

HPV is a virus naturally found in the female reproductive organs. Cervical cancer can develop when sexual intercourse causes friction between the male genitalia and the woman’s cervix, leading to wounds, abrasions, and chronic inflammation. When cancer-causing types of HPV infect the cervix, they stimulate abnormal cell changes that can eventually turn into cancer.

Unfortunately, symptoms do not appear in the early stages of HPV infection or cervical cancer. Symptoms typically appear only in the later stages, including bleeding during intercourse, irregular bleeding outside the menstrual cycle, or abnormal vaginal discharge with a foul smell and signs of infection such as pus or bruising. Some may feel a lump or pelvic heaviness with pain. These late symptoms explain why many women—around 10,000 annually—are diagnosed late and why approximately 5,200 die from this disease each year, as many patients visit doctors only after symptoms appear, which is often too late for effective treatment.

A positive aspect of HPV is that after infection, it does not immediately cause cancer but slowly causes inflammation and abnormal cell changes over about 10-15 years. Knowing the cause has allowed health campaigns to encourage women to get regular cervical screenings every year. Early detection before symptoms appear can allow treatment to prevent cancer and save lives. If treated early, cervical cancer can be 100% curable.

Viruses are infectious agents that cannot currently be completely eradicated by medicine, unlike bacterial infections which can be treated with antibiotics. Viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis, or even common colds cannot be fully cured by medication. Treatment depends on the body’s immune system. This understanding led to the development of the HPV vaccine, which stimulates the immune system to protect women from HPV infection. Women vaccinated before becoming sexually active have nearly 100% protection. For women who are already sexually active, research shows that 90% might have already been exposed to HPV, but their immune systems can often eliminate the virus. Therefore, even after sexual activity begins, getting the HPV vaccine still offers up to 100% protection.

Information courtesy of Professor Poonsak Suchonwanit