The Importance of Cervical Cancer Research

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 124 views

Background

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that poses a significant threat to public health, as it often does not show symptoms in the early stages. Common symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, but many patients are only aware of this disease when it has reached an advanced stage. Cervical cancer has a high mortality rate, not only in Indonesia but also throughout the world. Unfortunately, the recording of the intelligence or survival of cervical cancer patients in Indonesia has not been fully implemented. Therefore, this study aims to determine the level of intake of cervical cancer patients at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan during the period June 2014 to June 2015.

The Importance of Cervical Cancer Research

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. In Indonesia, cervical cancer is a significant public health concern, with a high mortality rate. The lack of accurate data on cervical cancer patients in Indonesia hinders the development of effective health policies and interventions. This study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on cervical cancer by examining the intake of cervical cancer patients at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan during the period June 2014 to June 2015.

Research Methods

This research is descriptive with a retrospective control case study design. The sample taken is a cervical cancer patient who meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the total sampling method. All data is taken from the patient's medical record at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan. To obtain additional information, researchers conduct interviews or contact the patient to find out their health status, whether they are still alive or have died. The data collected includes the stage of cervical cancer, histopathological types, the age of the patient, and the type of treatment received.

Research Result

From a total of 142 cervical cancer patients, this study found that:

Age Distribution: Most patients are in the age group 50-59 years (41.5%).
Histopathological Types: The most common type of histopathology is non keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (81.0%).
Stage of Cervical Cancer: Many patients are in stage IIIB (45.1%).
Type of Therapy: The most common type of therapy is the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (71.8%).

On the other hand, when analyzing data from 131 patients related to intercourse, it was found that:

Age Group: The highest level of interconnection is found in the age group 30-39 years (62.5%).
Histopathology Type: Histopathology type with high intercourse is adenocarcinoma (80.0%).
Stage of Cervical Cancer: Patients with the IB2 stage have excellent knowledge, reaching 92.0%.
Type of Therapy: The most effective therapy is hysterectomy combined with chemotherapy, where all patients in this category survive (100%).

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that cervical cancer detected at an advanced stage shows a very low level of intelligence. This shows the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment to increase the patient's chances of life. Counseling and awareness about reproductive health among women, as well as efforts to increase access to health services, are very necessary to reduce the incidence and death of cervical cancer. Improvement of health infrastructure and screening programs is also the key to overcoming this problem, as well as assisting in recording and reporting more accurate data for future health policy development.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Early Detection: Efforts should be made to increase awareness about the importance of early detection of cervical cancer.
Access to Health Services: Access to health services should be improved, particularly in rural areas where cervical cancer is more prevalent.
Health Infrastructure: Health infrastructure should be improved to ensure that patients have access to quality care.
Screening Programs: Screening programs should be implemented to detect cervical cancer at an early stage.
Data Recording: Accurate data should be recorded and reported to inform future health policy development.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample Size: The sample size is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Data Collection: Data was collected from medical records, which may not be comprehensive or accurate.
Interviews: Interviews were conducted with patients, which may be subject to bias.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Large-Scale Studies: Large-scale studies should be conducted to confirm the findings of this study.
Longitudinal Studies: Longitudinal studies should be conducted to examine the long-term outcomes of cervical cancer patients.
Intervention Studies: Intervention studies should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing the incidence and death of cervical cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cervical Cancer ===========================================================

Q: What is cervical cancer?

A: Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus in the female reproductive system. It is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide.

Q: What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

A: The symptoms of cervical cancer can vary depending on the stage of the disease. Common symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and abnormal discharge.

Q: What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?

A: The risk factors for cervical cancer include:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is a virus that can cause cervical cancer.
Smoking: Smoking is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer.
Age: Cervical cancer is more common in women over the age of 30.
Sexual history: Women who have had multiple sexual partners are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.

Q: How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

A: Cervical cancer is diagnosed through a combination of:

Pap smear: A Pap smear is a test that involves collecting cells from the cervix to check for abnormal cell growth.
Colposcopy: A colposcopy is a procedure that involves using a special microscope to examine the cervix for abnormal cell growth.
Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a sample of tissue from the cervix to check for cancer cells.

Q: What are the treatment options for cervical cancer?

A: The treatment options for cervical cancer depend on the stage of the disease and the individual's overall health. Common treatment options include:

Surgery: Surgery may be used to remove the tumor and affected tissue.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be used to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used to kill cancer cells.
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the uterus.

Q: What is the prognosis for cervical cancer?

A: The prognosis for cervical cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the individual's overall health. If detected early, cervical cancer can be treated effectively and the prognosis is good. However, if left untreated, cervical cancer can be fatal.

Q: How can cervical cancer be prevented?

A: Cervical cancer can be prevented through:

HPV vaccination: The HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer by preventing the spread of HPV.
Pap smear screening: Regular Pap smear screening can help detect abnormal cell growth and prevent cervical cancer.
Healthy lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Q: What is the role of H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan in cervical cancer treatment?

A: H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan is a leading hospital in Indonesia that provides comprehensive care for cervical cancer patients. The hospital has a team of experienced oncologists and surgeons who provide treatment options for cervical cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Q: What are the challenges in cervical cancer treatment in Indonesia?

A: The challenges in cervical cancer treatment in Indonesia include:

Limited access to healthcare: Many women in Indonesia do not have access to healthcare services, including cervical cancer screening and treatment.
Limited awareness: There is a lack of awareness about cervical cancer and its risk factors among women in Indonesia.
Limited resources: The healthcare system in Indonesia is under-resourced, which can limit access to treatment options for cervical cancer patients.

Q: What can be done to improve cervical cancer treatment in Indonesia?

A: To improve cervical cancer treatment in Indonesia, the following steps can be taken:

Increase awareness: Awareness campaigns can be conducted to educate women about cervical cancer and its risk factors.
Improve access to healthcare: Efforts can be made to improve access to healthcare services, including cervical cancer screening and treatment.
Increase resources: The healthcare system in Indonesia can be strengthened by increasing resources, including funding and personnel.