Cervical cancer rates among young women climbing
Chinese patients are being detected with cervical cancer at younger and younger ages, experts told the Oriental Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Shanghai.
Cervical cancer is one of the five most prevalent cancers in China among female patients, who can start to develop the disease at the age of 15. The age where the cancer is most prevalent is between 40 and 59 years.
The incidence of cervical cancer has been rising in China in recent years, now standing at about 15 in every 100,000.
The development of cervical cancer in younger patients is not only a medical problem but also a social problem, said Dr Di Wen, director of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Oncology.
The reasons include engaging in sexual activity too early, having multiple sexual partners, long-term use of oral contraceptive and smoking. “The rise of life quality and people’s more open lifestyles results in a rise in risk factor, which is related with cervical cancer,” Di said.
Experts said it is important to promote health education and the use of HPV vaccinations.
“But cervical cancer screening is also important, even though women can receive HPV vaccinations,” said Dr Hua Keqin from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University.
“A classified prevention and screening network is more in line with China’s condition — a healthy lifestyle and regular screening is still an effective measure for cervical cancer prevention and control.”