Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most common diseases women face in our society. It is the second most known cancer apart from Breast cancer. In a simple term, cancer generally causes changes in cells and makes them grow out of control. Cervical cancer begins at the lining of the cervix (which is the lower part of the womb or uterus). At first, some cells begin to change from normal to pre-cancer which then converts into cancer. It doesn’t just form suddenly or immediately, it takes a number of years. Sometimes in most women, pre-cancerous changes can disappear without treatment but often times they need to be treated to avoid them from converting into real cancer. There are mainly two types of cervical cancer known to many which are the squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. There could be other types but they occur in small percentage and are very rare.
MOST CAUSES AND PREVENTION
There most important cause of cervical cancer is when one is infected with Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is a sexually transmitted infection. When a woman is exposed to this virus, normally her immune system fights the virus from doing any serious harm. Sometimes, this is not so in some cases because in some, the virus survives for years and eventually can lead to the conversion of normal cells on the surface of the cervix into cancerous cells. You can get a HPV vaccine. It offers the protection from several of the most dangerous types of HPV (persistent HPV) and it is recommended for young girls ages 11-12. It can also be given to girl’s ages to 26 that have not being vaccinated. Also, women who have many sexual partners have a greater chance of getting HPV. So the best way to prevent it is to remain in a mutual relationship with an uninfected partner.
HIV infection too can cause cervical cancer. HIV the virus that causes AIDS is a factor because it makes the woman’s immune system less able to fight both HPV and early cancers.
The use of Tobacco is a risk factor too. Women who smoke are about twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as women who don’t. Smoking produces chemicals that damages the DNA in cells of cervix and makes it easier for cancer to develop. So the more and longer you smoke the higher the risk of developing the cancer.
Early cervical cancers often are devoid of signs and symptoms. The symptom starts to develop especially when the cancer becomes invasive. So whatever symptoms you are noticing, ignoring them may allow the cancer a chance of progressing to a more advanced stage and difficult to treat (E.g. bleeding or pain during sex, blood spots or light bleeding other than your normal period or any unusual discharge from the vagina)
Cervical cancer involves 4 stages. Initially, this cancer is found only in the cells lining of the cervix.
First stage, the cancer has spread from the lining into deeper connective tissues of cervix.
Second stage, the cancer has spread to nearby areas but still inside the pelvic.
Third stage, it has spread to lower part of vagina which can cause blockage of the ureters.
Fourth stage, the most advanced stage. It has spread to the other parts of the body.
TREATMENT
Treatment all depends on your choice and the condition of your cancer. There is the laser surgery (carbon dioxide laser). This is the mostly chosen and recommended for cervical treatment. This surgery destroys or excise infected cells, thus reducing the amount of infected tissue. There is Hysterectomy (simple and radical) both involves the removal of the uterus, after this the woman cannot get pregnant. Radiation therapy which uses high energy x-rays to shrink or kill cancer cells. This is done by focusing the radiation from outside the body on the cancer. Chemotherapy, this is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. They are taken in form of pills which enters the bloodstream and reaches all areas of the body. It has some side effects depending on the type, quantity and duration of taking the drugs.
Going to see your doctor frequently or once in a while will really be a prophylactic measure towards preventing or reducing cervical cancer. Whatever is your choice of treatment should be discussed with your doctor, so you know what you are up against.
