Lan Anh explained her demanding work schedule, often finishing at 9 p.m. and working overtime on weekends. She attributed her symptoms to work-related stress, believing they would subside with rest. She also avoided doctor's appointments due to the required half-day leave, fearing a backlog of work and missed deadlines.

She only sought medical attention when the persistent dull abdominal pain was accompanied by unusual vaginal bleeding. Normal endoscopy and colonoscopy results provided temporary relief. However, a cervical screening revealed cancerous lesions and a positive HPV 16 test. The stage 3 cervical cancer diagnosis left Lan Anh speechless.

Thuy Linh, 37, described her life as a whirlwind of meetings, business plans, and constant calls, followed by picking up her children, preparing dinner, and helping them with their studies. She prioritized work, family, friends, and even social engagements, while health checkups were consistently postponed.

Linh hadn’t had a general health check-up in two years. Only when persistent fatigue and insomnia set in did she decide to visit the hospital. The doctor advised that women her age should have regular gynecological checkups to prevent often overlooked conditions. The results revealed that Linh's exhaustion stemmed from prolonged stress. However, her gynecological examination showed an HPV 18 infection, although no cancerous lesions were detected.

Many women mistakenly believe that HPV infection automatically leads to cancer, causing undue fear. Illustration: Photo AC

Dr. Nguyen Van Thang, Head of the Gynecological Oncology Department at the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, observed that women over 35, increasingly busy with careers, families, and social circles, often place their health last. They readily invest in work, children, and appearance but neglect disease prevention, including HPV-related conditions. Many only address their health when experiencing symptoms, rather than proactively protecting themselves.

"Throughout my career, I've encountered many women who arrive at the hospital with serious conditions that could have been prevented or detected early with regular checkups," he said.

He also shared instances of women mistakenly believing HPV infection inevitably leads to cancer, resulting in excessive fear, refusal to accept diagnoses, self-treatment, concealing their condition, avoiding checkups, or fearing judgment and suspicion.

A common fear among women, he noted, is receiving a diagnosis and visiting the hospital. Some worry about who will care for their families if they become ill, or about family breakdown due to high treatment costs and potential impact on fertility. Their emotional turmoil leads them to delay treatment until intervention becomes difficult.

To address this, Dr. Thang emphasized the importance of understanding HPV risks. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and resolve without treatment. However, persistent infections can lead to diseases, precancerous conditions, and related cancers.

Furthermore, precancerous lesions and early-stage cancers are often asymptomatic, making regular screening crucial for detection. Avoiding checkups and screenings leads to late-stage diagnoses, reducing the chances of effective treatment. Therefore, women should prioritize their health.

Proactive prevention reduces the risk of HPV-related conditions, including cervical cancer. The Ministry of Health recommends three levels of cervical cancer prevention, which Dr. Thang advises women over 35 to follow: primary prevention – maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet; practicing safe sex or getting the HPV vaccine; secondary prevention – screening, detecting abnormalities, and assessing disease severity; and tertiary prevention – detecting early-stage invasive cancers and receiving comprehensive treatment at well-equipped facilities to reduce mortality. Following these preventive measures significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer.

He stressed the importance of HPV prevention measures in reducing the risk of new and recurrent infections with dangerous viral strains. Early detection through regular screening allows for easier and more effective treatment, minimizes health impacts, and may enable uterine preservation. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing safe sex, and boosting immunity also contribute to HPV prevention.

Hai My

HPV is the human papillomavirus. HPV infections are common worldwide. Most infections are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously, but persistent infections can lead to diseases, precancerous conditions, and cancer in both men and women. Individual action is crucial for raising awareness about prevention in the community "For a Vietnam free from the burden of HPV." Consult with healthcare professionals and learn more about HPV at hpv.vn