Education and Health in Women With Cervical Cancer

Cervical neoplasms represent a significant public health problem on a global scale. In Brazil, they constitute the third most frequent type of cancer among women of reproductive age. This condition is caused by cellular alterations, mainly triggered by persistent infection with oncogenic subtypes of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer, also called cervical cancer, results from continuous infection with oncogenic types of HPV. Although genital infection with these viruses is common and, in most cases, does not result in disease, some situations evolve into cellular changes that can progress to cancer.

Two main types of invasive carcinomas are identified, according to the origin of the affected epithelium: squamous cell carcinoma, the most prevalent, which affects the squamous epithelium and represents approximately 90% of cases, and adenocarcinoma, less frequent, which affects the glandular epithelium and corresponds to about 10% of cases. Both are associated with persistent infection by oncogenic variants of HPV.Primary prevention of cervical cancer includes the use of condoms and HPV vaccination, complemented by health promotion actions. Secondary prevention, in turn, includes early detection through preventive examination (Papanicolaou or cytopathological), indicated for women between 25 and 64 years of age, especially those who have already started their sexual life.The Pap smear allows for the early detection of abnormal cells, enabling interventions that prevent progression to advanced forms of the disease. Thus, early identification is essential to improve the quality of life of patients. Several factors contribute to the development of cervical cancer, with HPV being the main one, especially subtypes 16 and 18, responsible for approximately 70% of cases. Other risk factors include smoking, multiple unprotected sexual partners, early onset of sexual activity, multiparity, prolonged use of oral contraceptives, history of STIs, and micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folate. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommends the implementation of national programs that include integrated actions for primary prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care, measures that have been adopted in most Latin American countries since the 1980s. However, issues related to access to and quality of health services, as well as the socioeconomic level of women, hinder the control of the disease in the region. In addition, a lack of knowledge about cervical health is a significant barrier to early diagnosis. Therefore, awareness campaigns specifically for women are essential. Health education is an essential tool in promoting healthy behaviors and building a critical awareness of the health-disease process, considering individual and collective realities. By disseminating qualified information, the aim is not only to clarify the determinants of health, but also to provide support for the adoption of preventive practices. Health promotion encompasses multiple levels of intervention, from individual care and community work to strategic actions aimed at public policies. Educational interventions addressing HPV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are fundamental for the prevention of cervical cancer and should consider sociocultural and economic aspects to reduce barriers related to early diagnosis. The use of new technologies, such as mHealth strategies, has shown promise in increasing adherence to preventive practices. These interventions, especially for chronic diseases such as cervical cancer, facilitate screening, monitoring, and dissemination of information in an economical and efficient way. In addition, social media has the potential to influence behaviors by promoting discussions, disseminating information rapidly, and reaching a wide audience at low cost. Therefore, the combined use of health education and digital technologies can significantly contribute to the prevention and control of cervical cancer. Furthermore, social media has the potential to influence behaviors by promoting discussions, disseminating information rapidly, and reaching a wide audience at low cost. Therefore, the combined use of health education and digital technologies can significantly contribute to the prevention and control of cervical cancer. From this perspective, it emphasizes the need for intervention programs with health education for cervical cancer patients, considering the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Brazil, especially in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, as no similar study was found in the region.