According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women and the fourth leading cause of death among women in Brazil. Against this backdrop, in March, the month in which International Women’s Day is celebrated, the Lilac March campaign is held to raise awareness of the importance of preventing the disease.
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with certain types of the Human Papillomavirus – HPV. Genital infection by these viruses is very common and most of the time does not cause disease. They are sexually transmitted and can cause lesions in the vagina, cervix, penis and anus.
However, in some cases, cellular changes occur which can develop into cancer. These changes are easily discovered in the preventive examination, also known as the Pap smear, and are curable in most cases. That’s why it’s important to have regular preventive examinations.
Currently, the main way of preventing the disease is the HPV vaccine, available for girls aged 9 to 14 and boys aged 11 to 14, through the Unified Health System (SUS), which can prevent 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. Another way to prevent the disease is to reduce the risk of HPV infection, which occurs sexually, by using condoms during intercourse.
