SSJ opens portal for women to make an appointment for Pap Smear this month, and medical units will offer the exam throughout the year.
Cervical uterine cancer is a preventable and curable disease if it is detected early and properly treated, for which the Jalisco Health Secretariat (SSJ) permanently promotes services for its diagnosis and care, a strategy that will intensify this month of September.
All the institutions of the sector join in this effort of prevention and timely care of this type of tumors, and it is emphasized that the cervix is 100% curable, if it is detected in time.
“Cancer continues to be a public health problem. It is one of the main causes of death, after chronic degenerative diseases, where the risk factors for this to occur have to do with the beginning of an early sexual life, number of sexual partners, the immunosuppression status of the patient, and the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV,)” as reported in a panel published by the social networks of the SSJ.
In this regard, Ricardo Lúa Alvarado, a doctor assigned to the ISSSTE, added that a first preventive measure is the responsibility for sexual life; inform yourself and protect yourself to reduce the risk of contagion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cancer.
Martha del Socorro Arias Novoa, head of the Department of Reproductive Health of the OPD Jalisco Health Services, explained that in the medical units of the organism the intentional search for HPV is carried out, and it is followed up if positive, so she invited women to come with confidence. "We insist on the fact that when they go to have a Pap smear they will not get COVID-19, since our spaces are safe."
She stressed that in these medical units studies are carried out throughout the year and not only when campaigns are announced, which are periods intended to reinforce information to women.
To facilitate care, the SSJ opened the appointment portal to get a Pap test this month on the website: https://www.camujal.site/
Luis Fernando Velasco Rodríguez, head of the Colposcopy Clinic of the Hospital General de Occidente, explained that the presence of HPV is necessary for cervical cancer to develop and the chances of acquiring it are very high, so you have to go to check-ups regularly, at least once a year, and have a Pap test.
"HPV is acquired through sexual intercourse and once the virus enters the body, it remains in the body for the rest of its life and it will be depending on the risk factors that the patient has that may develop the presence of cervical cancer,” he detailed.
Silvia del Carmen Valencia Espinosa, assistant coordinator in Epidemiology at the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS,) pointed out that from adolescence, women and men must know the risk factors for cervical cancer to prevent it. For example, eat a healthy diet, since obesity increases the risk of suffering from it.
How to prevent cervical cancer?
Primary prevention: Application of the vaccine to prevent HPV infection, to girls between 9 and 12 years old who have not initiated sexual activity. It is offered free in health units.
Secondary prevention: Early detection for the diagnosis and eventual treatment of precancerous lesions associated with HPV.
It is estimated that 50 to 80% of the female population will acquire an HPV infection in her lifetime.
More than 80% of HPV infections are temporary.
Mortality from cervical cancer remains low. In 2020 Jalisco registered a rate of 4.39 per 100,000 women, compared to 5.80 in the country.