History of sexual relations at a young age

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 120 views

Risk Analysis of Predisposing Factors for Cervical Cancer at H. Adam Malik Medan Hospital

Introduction

Cervical cancer is a significant health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries where access to healthcare and screening services is limited. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually, resulting in approximately 311,000 deaths. In Indonesia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, accounting for 12.6% of all cancer cases. The H. Adam Malik Medan Hospital, a major referral hospital in Medan, Indonesia, has reported a significant number of cervical cancer cases among its patients.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between predisposing factors and the incidence of cervical cancer among patients at the H. Adam Malik Medan Hospital. The predisposing factors examined in this study include:

History of sexual relations at a young age: Early initiation of sexual activity has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer.
History of multiple sexual partners: Engaging in multiple sexual relationships has been associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Smoking: Smoking has been identified as a risk factor for cervical cancer, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood.
Vaginal discharge history: Abnormal vaginal discharge has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Body mass index (BMI): A high BMI has been associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Poor socio-economic profile: Women from lower socio-economic backgrounds may have limited access to healthcare and screening services, increasing their risk of cervical cancer.
Poor cleanliness: Poor hygiene practices, such as not practicing safe sex or not using sanitary products, may increase the risk of cervical cancer.

Methodology

This study employed a case-control design, where patients with cervical cancer (cases) were compared to patients without cervical cancer (controls). The study population consisted of 25 patients with cervical cancer and 25 patients without cervical cancer. The data were collected through a questionnaire that assessed the predisposing factors listed above.

The data were analyzed using bivariate analysis, including the Chi-Square test and Fischer Test, to determine the relative risk of each predisposing factor for cervical cancer.

Results

The results of this study showed that each predisposing factor examined was not significantly related to the incidence of cervical cancer, except for a history of pathological vaginal discharge. The study found that 66.7% of patients with cervical cancer had a history of pathological vaginal discharge, compared to 5% of patients without cervical cancer.

Discussion

The findings of this study suggest that a history of pathological vaginal discharge is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer. This is consistent with previous studies that have linked abnormal vaginal discharge to an increased risk of cervical cancer. Pathological vaginal discharge can be an early sign of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is the main cause of cervical cancer.

The results of this study also highlight the importance of health education and awareness about the prevention of cervical cancer. Women should be aware of unusual vaginal discharge and seek medical attention if they experience these symptoms. Additionally, health education programs should emphasize the importance of HPV screening and vaccination, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as stopping smoking and practicing good hygiene.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between predisposing factors and the incidence of cervical cancer among patients at the H. Adam Malik Medan Hospital. The findings suggest that a history of pathological vaginal discharge is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify other risk factors for cervical cancer.

Recommendations

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

Health education programs: Health education programs should be implemented to raise awareness about the prevention of cervical cancer, including the importance of HPV screening and vaccination, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Screening services: Screening services for cervical cancer should be made available to all women, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Research: Further research is needed to confirm the findings of this study and to identify other risk factors for cervical cancer.

Limitations

This study had several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study had a small sample size, which may have limited the generalizability of the findings.
Case-control design: The study employed a case-control design, which may have introduced bias into the results.
Self-reported data: The data were self-reported, which may have introduced bias into the results.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to confirm the findings of this study and to identify other risk factors for cervical cancer. Additionally, studies should investigate the effectiveness of health education programs and screening services in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.

References

World Health Organization. (2020). Cervical Cancer.
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2018). Cervical Cancer.
National Cancer Institute. (2020). Cervical Cancer.

Appendices

Questionnaire: The questionnaire used in this study is provided in the appendix.
Data analysis: The data analysis is provided in the appendix.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cervical Cancer and Predisposing Factors

Q: What is cervical cancer?

A: Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus in the female reproductive system. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a common virus that can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Q: What are the predisposing factors for cervical cancer?

A: The predisposing factors for cervical cancer include:

History of sexual relations at a young age: Early initiation of sexual activity has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer.
History of multiple sexual partners: Engaging in multiple sexual relationships has been associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Smoking: Smoking has been identified as a risk factor for cervical cancer, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood.
Vaginal discharge history: Abnormal vaginal discharge has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Body mass index (BMI): A high BMI has been associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Poor socio-economic profile: Women from lower socio-economic backgrounds may have limited access to healthcare and screening services, increasing their risk of cervical cancer.
Poor cleanliness: Poor hygiene practices, such as not practicing safe sex or not using sanitary products, may increase the risk of cervical cancer.

Q: What is the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer?

A: HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. The virus can be transmitted through sexual contact and can cause abnormal cell growth on the cervix, which can lead to cancer.

Q: How can cervical cancer be prevented?

A: Cervical cancer can be prevented through:

HPV vaccination: The HPV vaccine can protect against certain types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
HPV screening: Regular screening for HPV can detect abnormal cell growth on the cervix, which can be treated before it becomes cancer.
Healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as not smoking and practicing good hygiene, can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Health education: Raising awareness about the prevention of cervical cancer through health education programs can also help reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Q: What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

A: The symptoms of cervical cancer can include:

Abnormal vaginal discharge: Abnormal vaginal discharge, such as bleeding or spotting, can be a symptom of cervical cancer.
Painful sex: Painful sex can be a symptom of cervical cancer.
Heavy bleeding: Heavy bleeding during or after sex can be a symptom of cervical cancer.
Pelvic pain: Pelvic pain can be a symptom of cervical cancer.

Q: How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

A: Cervical cancer is diagnosed through:

Pap smear: A Pap smear is a test that involves collecting cells from the cervix to check for abnormal cell growth.
HPV testing: HPV testing involves checking for the presence of HPV in the cervix.
Colposcopy: A colposcopy is a procedure that involves using a special microscope to examine the cervix for abnormal cell growth.
Biopsy: A biopsy 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 include:

Surgery: Surgery involves removing the cancerous cells from the cervix.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells.
Combination therapy: Combination therapy involves using a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to treat cervical cancer.

Q: What is the prognosis for cervical cancer?

A: The prognosis for cervical cancer depends on the stage of the cancer and the effectiveness of the treatment. Early detection and treatment can improve the prognosis for cervical cancer.

Q: How can I reduce my risk of cervical cancer?

A: You can reduce your risk of cervical cancer by:

Getting vaccinated against HPV: Getting vaccinated against HPV can protect against certain types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
Getting regular Pap smears: Getting regular Pap smears can detect abnormal cell growth on the cervix, which can be treated before it becomes cancer.
Practicing safe sex: Practicing safe sex can reduce the risk of HPV transmission.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as not smoking and practicing good hygiene, can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Q: What resources are available for cervical cancer patients?

A: There are several resources available for cervical cancer patients, including:

National Cancer Institute: The National Cancer Institute provides information and resources for cervical cancer patients.
American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society provides information and resources for cervical cancer patients.
Cervical Cancer Foundation: The Cervical Cancer Foundation provides information and resources for cervical cancer patients.
Support groups: Support groups can provide emotional support and connect patients with others who are going through similar experiences.