It is known that the longer you are exposed to female hormones, the greater the risk of developing breast cancer. Therefore, you should be cautious about taking female hormone replacement therapy after menopause, and it is contraindicated if you have breast cancer. There is no known link between oral contraceptives and breast cancer.

Liver cancer is mainly caused by damage to the liver due to chronic hepatitis, which is why hepatitis prevention is essential to prevent liver cancer. Hepatitis can be broadly categorized into infectious and non-infectious hepatitis.

Infectious hepatitis, which has been linked to liver cancer, includes hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is vaccinable, while hepatitis C is not.

Non-infectious hepatitis causes include alcoholic and non-alcoholic hepatitis. Moderate alcohol consumption and weight management are important for prevention.

If you already have hepatitis, you need to watch your drinking, smoking, and diet. You should discuss any dietary supplements or herbal remedies with your doctor because they can put a burden the liver.

Hepatitis B vaccination is offered to all newborns and infants through the National Immunization Program. However, some people do not develop antibodies even after immunization, so additional vaccination is recommended for people at high risk of exposure to the hepatitis B virus, such as
- Family members of people with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
- Patients who receive frequent blood transfusions
- Patients receiving dialysis- Healthcare workers
- People with diabetes and chronic liver disease

Hepatitis B is spread through blood or bodily fluids, so it can also be spread through sexual contact or a needle stick from a contaminated syringe.

Cirrhosis is a disease in which chronic inflammation causes the liver tissue to break down and harden. It is often asymptomatic, so it is difficult to tell if you have cirrhosis based on symptoms alone. It can be diagnosed through biopsy or blood tests and imaging.

Hepatitis B and C can be detected through a blood test. Hepatitis B is vaccinable, so if your blood test shows no hepatitis B antibodies, you can get vaccinated.

The main treatment for acute hepatitis B is supportive care to reduce symptoms. In chronic hepatitis B, where the inflammation caused by hepatitis lasts longer than six months, treatment options include taking antiviral medications.

Hepatitis C is treated with antiviral medications.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a disease that is spread through sexual contact.  Vaccination is recommended before sexual experience. Female adolescents ages 12-17 and low-income women ages 18-26 can get HPV bivalent (Cervarix) or HPV quadrivalent (Gardasil) for free at health centers or designated health care providers.
If you are not eligible, you can get

HPV bivalent (Cervarix)
- First dose at age 9 to 14 years, followed by 2 doses 6 to 12 months apart
- 3 doses 0, 1, and 6 months apart for the first dose at age 15-25 years

HPV quadrivalent (Gardasil)
- First dose at age 9 to 14 years, followed by 2 doses 6 to 12 months apart
- 3 doses 0, 2, and 6 months apart at the first dose in persons 15 to 26 years of age and older

HPV 9-valent (Gardasil)
- First dose at age 9 to 14 years, followed by 2 doses 6 to 12 months apart
- 3 doses 0, 2, and 6 months apart for the first dose at 15-45 years of age.

Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Because hepatitis C infection is primarily spread through contaminated blood, infection can occur through reuse of contaminated syringes or needles, piercing, or tattooing. Like hepatitis B, it is not commonly transmitted through sex, but it can still be spread through sex that results in bleeding.

Cigarette smoke contains a variety of harmful substances. Smoking increases your body's exposure to these harmful chemicals, which can cause various cancers. According to a report published by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022, 30% of cancers in Korea are caused by smoking. The most common cancers caused by direct exposure to tobacco smoke occur in the lung, larynx, esophagus, and oral cavity. Smoking is also known to increase the risk of colon, stomach, pancreas, and cervical cancer in Korea.