Cervical cancer is a cancer that begins in the cervix. The cervix is a hollow cylinder that links a woman’s uterus to her vagina. The majority of cervical cancers begin in cells on the cervix’s surface.
Cervical cancer was formerly the top cause of mortality in women in the United States. However, this has altered since screening tests have been widely available.
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What is cervical cancer?
The lower portion of the uterus that attaches to the vagina, or the cervix, is where the cells of cervical cancer development.
The majority of cervical cancers are brought on by different strains of the sexually transmitted infection known as the human papillomavirus (HPV).
The body’s immune system normally stops the virus from causing harm when exposed to HPV. However, in a tiny number of people, the virus endures for years and aids in the process by which certain cervical cells develop into cancer cells.
By getting screening tests and an anti-HPV vaccine, you can lower your chance of developing cervical cancer.
Symptoms
Cervical cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms.
The following are the signs and symptoms of advanced cervical cancer:
Vaginal bleeding following intercourse, between periods, or during menopause
Vaginal discharge that is watery, crimson, and has a bad odour.
Pelvic pain or discomfort during intercourse
Causes of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer develops when healthy cells in the cervix have DNA alterations. The DNA of a cell includes the instructions that inform the cell what to do.
Healthy cells proliferate and replicate at a predictable rate before dying at a predictable period. The mutations cause the cells to grow and reproduce uncontrollably, and they do not perish. A tumor develops from the accumulation of aberrant cells. Cancer cells infect adjacent tissues and can break free from tumours to spread throughout the body.
It is unknown what causes this cancer, however, HPV is known to have a role. HPV is quite prevalent, and the majority of individuals who have it never get cancer. This indicates that other variables, such as your environment or lifestyle choices, influence whether you acquire this cancer.
Risk factors
Cervical cancer risk factors include:
There are several sexual partners. The more sexual partners you have — and the more sexual partners your partner has — the more likely you are to get HPV.
Sexual activity in childhood. Having intercourse at a young age raises your risk of HPV.
Other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). Other STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS, enhance your chances of contracting HPV.
A compromised immune system. If your immune system is impaired by another health issue and you have HPV, you may be more likely to develop this cancer.
Smoking. Squamous cell cervical cancer is linked to smoking.
Miscarriage prevention medication exposure. If your mother used the medication diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant in the 1950s, you may be at a higher risk of developing clear cell adenocarcinoma, a kind of this cancer.
Prevention
To lower your chances of developing cervical cancer, do the following:
Inquire with your doctor about the HPV vaccination. Getting vaccinated against HPV may lower your risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related malignancies. Consult your doctor to see if an HPV vaccination is right for you.
Have regular Pap testing. Pap tests can detect precancerous cervix disorders, allowing them to be monitored or treated in order to avoid this cancer. The majority of medical organizations recommend starting routine Pap tests at the age of 21 and repeating them every few years.
Sex should be done safely. Reduce your risk of this cancer by practising sexually transmitted infection prevention, such as using a condom every time you have sex and limiting the number of sexual partners you have.
Treatment for Cervical Cancer
Ask to be sent to a gynecologic oncologist, or a medical professional with training in treating malignancies of a woman’s reproductive system if your doctor diagnoses you with this cancer. Together, you and this doctor will develop a treatment strategy.
The stage of an illness describes its severity. The stage is frequently established using information on the size of the malignancy or the extent of its spread. This data is used by medical professionals to design treatments and track outcomes.
There are numerous techniques to treat this cancer. The type of cervical cancer and the extent of its spread will determine this. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are all forms of treatment.
Surgery: During an operation, doctors remove cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy: The use of specialized drugs to reduce or eradicate cancer. The medications may be taken orally, administered intravenously, or occasionally both.
X-ray-like high-energy beams are used in radiation therapy to eliminate cancer.
Conclusion
Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in the world, and people should be aware of this. The cervix is the lowest section of the uterus that is connected to the vagina. Though the fatality rate from this cancer has decreased dramatically in affluent nations, it remains high in India. The major cause for this is a lack of awareness among Indian women.
A prolonged infection with the Human Papillomavirus is one of the major causes of cervical cancer (HPV).