If the selected foundation received a zloty for each sentence saying “I’m waiting for them to find a cure for cancer”, we would have plenty in foundations. However, this sentence is very annoying, especially as we learn more about cancer. There are already many types that we can treat, maybe not with one magic pill, but with prevention. That’s right, prevention, a word often repeated, but have you ever thought about what consequences it brings?
In many countries, preventive examinations are mandatory, enforced in very different ways. One country imposes a penalty in case of failure to report for examinations, the other does not pay for treatment. In our country, personal invitations are sent, and yet so many people disregard them while complaining about how hard it is for them to get to the doctor.
Cervical cancer is gradually disappearing in the world, but it is doing great in Poland. Medical students from Europe can learn about this type of cancer here, because their homeland becomes “free from it”. You can ask yourself why, here most people would probably look for an explanation in the faulty health care system, but it’s worth starting with yourself! In Poland, women over 25 are entitled to a free cytological examination. Everyone has heard it, most think they know what it is, and the rest are afraid to ask.
Many myths about cytology are circulating on the Internet, many people have knowledge straight from their friends ….. During one of the many actions that I organized to spread information about cervical cancer prevention, I heard from a lady that “this is what she did this morning and generally at least once a week. It was Sunday around 8 am. If there are gynecologists examining at this time and so often, then everything is fine, but I’m afraid that you were ashamed to ask what I was asking.
Cytology is a non-invasive test consisting in taking a swab from the cervix with a special brush, applying it to a glass slide and hardening it. It is completely painless and may cause temporary discomfort. After about a week, the result is available for collection at the gynecologist. During this time, the swab is examined by a qualified diagnostician who assesses the appearance of the cells, their shape and structure. On this basis, you can detect many inflammations, erosions, as well as cervical cancer, which, if detected at an early stage, is completely curable!
So we can say that we have a magic cure for cancer – prevention. It is true that in a great simplification, but thanks to frequent visits to the gynecologist, we can protect ourselves from the development of cancer.
Vaccinations have been available for several years as an additional prophylactic measure. It sounds a bit unrealistic, a cancer vaccination. Cervical cancer is caused in 100% by oncogenic viruses, in the case of our climatic zone, most often by types 16 and 18. HPV or Human PapillomaVirus. HPV is a virus that occurs in many types, most of them cause harmless warts or warts, but you should always remember about the possibility of causing cancer. In Poland, we have 2 types of vaccines, the gynecologist will certainly explain which one will be more appropriate. It is worth remembering that both a woman who has already had sex and a man can be vaccinated. In the case of a woman who has already had sexual initiation, there is a fear that her partner may have passed the virus on to her, but nothing stands in the way of performing a test to detect the DNA of the virus and subsequent vaccination to protect yourself in the future. Men can get vaccinated to avoid common warts, but also to protect their partners. Unfortunately, vaccination has, like everything, its downside, vaccines are expensive, they cost about PLN 400 and you need to give 3 doses. However, I am sure that the case is worth the price.
Every year in January we celebrate the European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, this time it falls on January 22-28, 2017. This is a particularly important period for sick women, but also for those who actively support them and fight for greater awareness. The International Association of Medical Students IFMSA-Poland is organizing the PinkLips campaign for the fourth time. Pink lips have become a symbol of femininity, allowing for willing identification with the action. In many Polish cities, students will take to the streets, explaining why prevention is so important. In addition, we are available on social networks, such as Facebook, where we post all important information and competitions. After all, good attitude should be praised and spread. We also create #pinkchallenge, where by adding a photo to your profile, we write briefly about the action and nominate more people to publish such a photo and spread the idea.
There are many challenges on the internet, we give you one of them. Go to a gynecologist and get checked. It may save your life.