Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer | What is it, its Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Cancer of the cervix, or cervical cancer, starts on the surface of your cervix, the bottom section of the uterus that attaches to the vagina. It happens when precancerous cells start to grow on your cervix. It is most commonly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is more common in women who have not been Immunised against HPV or have not had routine cervical cancer screenings.
Symptoms of cervical cancer may include irregular vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. Cervical cancer is frequently preventable by HPV vaccination and regular checkups. If detected early, it is treatable with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Not all precancerous cells will turn into cancer, but it is very important to find these troublesome cells and treat them before they can change into cancer.
There are two main types of cervix cancer: adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.
What are the most common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?
The most common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer include the following:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding: This can have bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause.
- Pelvic pain can be a dull ache or sharp pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
- Pain during intercourse: This can be caused by cancer growing into nearby tissue.
- Vaginal discharge: This can be watery, dark, or tinged with blood.
- Constipation or urinary problems: This can be caused by cancer growing into nearby organs.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions and may not always indicate cervical cancer. It’s best to consult with a doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.
If cancer has spread to other tissues or organs, the symptoms may include:
- Difficulty or pain when urinating, or even the presence of blood in the urine, suggests that the disease has progressed to neighbouring tissues or organs.
- Problems passing stool, such as diarrhoea, discomfort, or blood during bowel movements.
- Symptoms include lethargy, weight loss, and a diminished appetite.
- Leg swelling or a dull backache.
- Symptoms include discomfort in the pelvis and abdomen.
You should have a full gynaecological exam, including a Pap test if you have abnormal bleeding, vaginal discharge, or any other strange symptoms.
What are the causes of cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection. HPV is extremely common and most sexually active individuals will contract it at some point in their lives. In most cases, the body’s immune system will clear the virus on its own, but in some cases, it can lead to the development of cervical cancer.
There are many different types of HPV, but only certain types (mainly HPV 16 and HPV 18) are known to cause cervical cancer. These types of HPV can lead to changes in the cells of the cervix, which can eventually develop into cervical cancer if not detected and treated.
Other risk factors for cervical cancer include:
- Smoking
- Having HIV or another condition that weakens the immune system
- Having given birth to multiple children
- Using birth control pills for a long time
- Having a diet low in fruits and vegetables
It’s important to note that having HPV or one of the risk factors does not guarantee a person will develop cervical cancer. Regular cervical cancer screenings, such as a Pap test and HPV test, can help detect abnormal cells early and prevent cervical cancer.
How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
Most of the time, cervical cancer is found through a pelvic exam, a Pap test, and an HPV test.
- During a pelvic exam, a doctor will look for anything wrong with the cervix and uterus. They might also take a sample of cells from the cervix to look at under a microscope.
- The Pap test, which is also called a Pap smear, is a screening test that checks the cervix for abnormal cells. A small sample of cervical cells is taken during the test and looked at under a microscope.
- The HPV test is a screening test that looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a leading cause of cervical cancer.
- If the Pap test finds any abnormal cells or the HPV test comes back positive, it may be necessary to do more tests to confirm the diagnosis. These can include a colposcopy, which is a close look at the cervix with a microscope, or a biopsy, which is a way to take a small piece of tissue from the cervix for testing.
If cervical cancer is found, more tests may be done to find out how far along it is. This will help doctors decide how to treat it.
Treatment of cervical cancer
The best way to treat cervical cancer depends on how far along it is and how healthy the person is overall. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the main ways to treat cervical cancer.
Surgery: Surgery is the most common way to treat cervical cancer when it is in its early stages. What kind of surgery is done will depend on how far along the cancer is. When cervical cancer is in its early stages, a cone biopsy or a simple hysterectomy may be done. In the later stages of cervical cancer, a radical hysterectomy may be needed to remove the uterus, the cervix, and the tissue around them.
Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells in radiation therapy. It can be used by itself or along with surgery. Most people with cervical cancer get radiation therapy in the form of an external beam. It sends radiation into the body from outside with a machine.
Chemotherapy: It is a way to treat cancer that kills cancer cells by using drugs. It can be used by itself or alongside radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is often used to treat cervical cancer that has spread past the cervix and is in a later stage.
In some cases, the treatment options may be palliative, which means they are not meant to cure the cancer but to ease the symptoms and make the patient’s life better.
It’s important to know that treatment for cervical cancer can cause side effects like tiredness, nausea, and the inability to have children. After treatment, patients will see their doctor often to keep an eye on the cancer and deal with any side effects.
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