Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects women. It is a result of abnormal cells in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer typically affects women over the age of 30, and is more common in developing countries than in developed countries. In the United States, cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in women.
There are different types of cervical cancer, but most start out as pre-cancerous lesions called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). It is possible to detect and treat these lesions before they develop into cancerous tumours.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the United States. Each year, about 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,000 die from the disease. The good news is that cervical cancer is also one of the most preventable types of cancer.
Don’t ignore these symptoms of cervical cancer!
Symptoms of cervical cancer can include:
- Vaginal bleeding between periods is the most common symptom of cervical cancer. However, many other conditions can cause this type of bleeding, so it is important to see a doctor if it occurs.
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse or after menopause can also be a sign of cervical cancer.
- One in three women will experience pelvic pain at some point in their lives. There are many potential causes of pelvic pain, including gynecological conditions such as cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can cause pelvic pain and pain during intercourse.
- Most women know the importance of visiting their gynecologist for regular checkups, but many often ignore other symptoms that could be related to more serious health concerns. One such symptom is an unusual smelling vaginal discharge. While this symptom may not always be indicative of cervical cancer, it’s important that you don’t ignore it and visit your doctor right away if you experience it.
- There are a number of reasons why a woman might experience an abnormal vaginal discharge, including bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, one of the most common causes of an abnormal discharge is cervical cancer. If left untreated, cervical cancer can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.
Cervical cancer is highly curable when found early. However, because cervical cancer often doesn’t cause any symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage, many women don’t know they have it until it’s too late.
If you experience either of these symptoms, don’t ignore them! See your doctor right away for a check-up. Early detection is key to successful treatment of cervical cancer.
Learn about the risk factors for developing cervical cancer
There are many risk factors for developing cervical cancer. Some of these risk factors include:
- Having multiple sexual partners: According to the Mayo Clinic, having multiple sexual partners is a risk factor for developing cervical cancer. To a certain extent, this is because sexual intercourse can spread the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer.
- Having a sexually transmitted infection (such as HPV): Several HPV strains can more likely lead to cancer than others. Multi-partner sexual activity increases the likelihood of exposure to high-risk HPV strains for females. This increases their risk of getting cervical cancer. It’s important to know that even if you have only one sexual partner, you can still get cervical cancer if you are infected with a high-risk HPV type.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of developing cervical cancer by two to four times. This is because smoking damages the cells in the cervix and makes it more difficult for the body to fight off HPV infection. Smokers are also more likely to develop other types of cancer, including lung cancer. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. There are many ways to quit smoking, and there is help available if you need it.
- Being obese: There is a clear link between obesity and cervical cancer, with being obese increasing your risk of the disease by up to 60%. This is likely due to the fact that being obese leads to chronic inflammation, which in turn can increase the risk of developing cancer. Additionally, obese women are more likely to have underlying health conditions that can also increase their risk of cervical cancer.
- Cervical cancer is more common in women who have not been immunised against HPV.
It is important for women to be aware of the risk factors for cervical cancer and to get regular screenings for the disease.
How cervical cancer is diagnosed?
When a woman experiences symptoms that could be related to cervical cancer, her doctor will perform a pelvic exam. This exam includes a Pap smear, which is a test that screens for cervical cancer. If the Pap smear reveals any abnormalities, the doctor may order other tests to determine whether or not the woman has cervical cancer. These tests can include a biopsy, an ultrasound, or a CT scan.
Pap smear
A Pap smear is one of the tests in a woman’s annual checkup list. To find out if a woman has cervical cancer, doctors utilise this test. The Pap smear is an easy-to-understand procedure that gathers cervical cells for microscopic examination. This is why the Pap smear is meant to detect any signs of cervical cancer before it has a chance to grow.
When a Pap smear reveals abnormal cells on a woman’s cervix, she is likely to have cervical cancer. This is how the disease is discovered. When abnormal cells are found on a Pap smear, there are various varieties to look for, and each type has its own set of concerns for the woman’s overall health.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue from the body for microscopic examination. It is possible to do this technique using either a needle biopsy or a surgical biopsy. The most common way to do a cervical biopsy is by using a thin, metal tube called a hysteroscope. The hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. A small sample of tissue can then be removed from the cervix and examined under a microscope.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound technology is the common choice to help diagnose cervical cancer. The ultrasound device emits high-frequency sound waves that penetrate the body and bounce off tissues and organs. A computer then converts these echoes into an image are visible on a monitor. This technology helps physicians evaluate masses or lumps in the pelvic area.
CT scan
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects women. CT scan is a good choice for diagnosis. A CT scan is a type of imaging test that uses X-rays to create pictures of the inside of the body. This test can help doctors see if there are any abnormalities or tumors in the cervix.
How cervical cancer is treated?
There are three main ways to treat cervical cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Surgery
For the vast majority of cervical cancer patients, surgery is the most common method of treatment. There are a variety of surgical procedures available, depending on the stage of the malignancy. If the cancer is caught early, a simple surgery may be all that is needed. If the cancer has spread, more extensive surgery may be required. Surgery is usually used to remove the cancerous cells from the cervix.
There are two types of surgery: traditional surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Traditional surgery involves making a large incision in the abdomen in order to remove the uterus and cervix. Minimally invasive surgery, also known as laparoscopic surgery, uses small incisions and special instruments to remove the uterus and cervix. Both types of surgery are effective at removing the cancerous cells, but minimally invasive surgery has some advantages over traditional surgery. Some common surgeries for cervical cancer include:
- Hysterectomy – This is the removal of the uterus. It is a common treatment for cervical cancer that has spread beyond the cervix.
- Radical hysterectomy – This is a more extensive surgery that involves the removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. It is appropriate when the cancer has spread beyond the cervix.
- Lymph node dissection – This surgery removes lymph nodes from around the tumor to see if it has spread to them.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy. There are several different types of chemotherapy drugs, and your doctor will decide which ones are best for you. You may need to take these drugs for a few months or even years. Chemotherapy is often very effective in treating cervical cancer. However, it can also have side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. To give the best possible treatment for women undergoing chemotherapy, doctors should closely monitor their patients.
Radiation
There are two methods of radiation therapy for cervical cancer: external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
- External beam radiation therapy: It is a common treatment for cervical cancer. It is a type of radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy beams at the cancer. A combination of this treatment and another one, such as chemotherapy, is possible.
- Brachytherapy : In this treatment, radiation is delivered directly to the tumor site using radioactive implants. This approach allows for a high dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. Brachytherapy is an initial treatment for cervical cancer, and it is a supplemental treatment after surgery or chemotherapy.
Protect yourself from cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is also highly preventable, making it important for all women to be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions. Here are a few tips to help protect yourself from cervical cancer:
Get regular screenings
Regular screenings can help detect cervical cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Screening tests include a Pap test and an HPV test. A Pap test can detect abnormal cells on the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. An HPV test can detect the presence of HPV, a virus that can cause cervical cancer. If you are due for a screening, make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Practice safe sex
Unprotected intercourse is one of the primary ways of cervical cancer transmision. Using condoms can help reduce your risk of contracting the disease. Safe sex means using condoms and other barrier methods to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI, so it’s important to practice safe sex every time you have sex.
Avoid smoking cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes significantly increases a woman’s risk of cervical cancer. The toxins in cigarettes can damage the cells in the cervix and make it more likely for HPV to cause cancer. Women who smoke are two to four times more likely to develop cervical cancer than nonsmokers. Quitting smoking can reduce a woman’s risk of cervical cancer, and even if she has smoked in the past, quitting can still help reduce her risk.
Get vaccinated against HPV
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. All girls and boys should receive the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. Up to the age of 26, women can also receive the HPV vaccine.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do. This includes eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Final words
Each woman must decide what is best for her based on her individual medical history and beliefs. However, all women should be aware of the risks and benefits of cervical cancer screening and be able to make an informed decision about whether or not to participate. However, in many developing countries, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.