Brilio.net - Cervical cancer or cervical cancer is one of the types of cancer that attacks women. Brilio.net quoted from a report from Globocan 2020, cervical cancer is ranked second as the most common type of cancer experienced by women in Indonesia after breast cancer. There are more than 36,000 new cases of cervical cancer with a death rate of more than 21,000 per year.
The cause of this deadly cancer is generally from infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus itself has more than 100 types, but types 16 and 18 are the most believed to be closely related to cervical cancer . The medium of its spread is also diverse, ranging from sexual contact, a weak immune system, smoking habits, to long-term use of oral contraceptives.
If seen from most cases, cervical cancer is characterized by various symptoms, including abnormal bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge to pelvic pain and urination problems. In handling cervical cancer, early detection is needed. Screening since showing abnormal symptoms is one of the keys to treating this cancer.
Treatment for cervical cancer is generally done through medical procedures such as hysterectomy or trachelectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and so on. Various studies continue to be developed in order to form immune therapy for cervical cancer patients. Although still in the research stage, immunotherapy shows promising results in fighting a number of cancer cells.
Research on alternative therapies for cervical cancer.
photo: pixabay.com
Previously, it has been mentioned that one of the causes of cervical cancer is a weak immune system. This immunity can be maintained with minimal side effect medication. Recently, in a publication by Universitas Gadjah Mada quoted by brilio.net on Monday (23/9), a number of students explored alternative therapies from salak seed waste and orange peel as anti-cervical cancer agents.
The five students are Aditya Latiful Azis (Biology 2022), Asy Syifa Paras Ceria (Biology 2022), Shabrina Farras Tsany (Medicine 2021), Rahmalia Diani Saffana (Medicine 2021), and Faqih Fikri Nuryanto (Pharmacy 2023) with supervisor Woro Anindito Sri Tunjung, M.Sc., Ph.D. Indonesia as a tropical country is certainly familiar with snake fruit. It turns out that this scaly-skinned fruit has seeds that contain a number of compounds that have the potential to be antioxidants. The content is known to include polyphenol, alkaloid, and terpenoid compounds.
Meanwhile, pomelo peel is known to contain flavonoid and lycopene compounds that have cytotoxic properties on cancer cells. The combination of these two wastes was then tested to be an alternative treatment for cervical cancer with minimal side effects. This research then went through various stages of testing. Starting from phytochemical screening, in silico testing, anti-inflammatory activity testing, cytotoxicity testing, and antiproliferation testing, HeLa cell migration inhibition testing, and apoptosis testing.
The final result, these two ingredients were proven to have anti-inflammatory activity and inhibit HeLa cell migration so that they can trigger apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.
Risk factors for cervical cancer.
photo: unsplash.com
Risk factors that increase the chance of developing cervical cancer include:
1. Sexual activity at a young age.
Starting sexual activity in adolescence can increase the risk of getting HPV.
2. Number of sexual partners.
Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of exposure to HPV.
3. Weak immune system.
People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, are more susceptible to HPV infection.
4. Smoking
Harmful chemicals from cigarettes can contribute to the development of cervical cancer.
5. Long-term use of oral contraceptives.
Research shows that long-term use of birth control pills can increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer prevention.In addition to early detection through screening, one of the most effective steps in preventing cervical cancer is HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer, namely HPV types 16 and 18. The HPV vaccination program has been started in Indonesia, especially for young women, and is expected to help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the future.
Cervical cancer is a serious health problem that is still a major threat to women in Indonesia. With a high incidence rate, it is important for the community to raise awareness about early detection, vaccination, and knowledge about the symptoms and causes of cervical cancer. Preventive measures such as routine screening and HPV vaccination, as well as proper treatment for diagnosed patients, can save many lives.
Providing access to adequate health services, both in big cities and in remote areas, is very important to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Indonesia.
(brl/wen)
