Cervical Cancer is caused in women arising from the cervix which is the opening to the vagina from the womb of a woman. It is a strong muscle. It occurs due to the irregular growth of cells that have the capability to attack or even spread to the other body parts. In the early stages of Cervical Cancer, there are rarely any symptoms. While in the late stages some of them might occur.
Who All Are Liable To
Cervical Cancer?
Younger women are more prone to Cervical Cancer than older ones. Only 15% of cervical cancers occur in women over age 65. Also, Trans men are likely to acquire it if they haven’t had a hysterectomy.
Causes and Risk Factors of:
Cervical Cancer
One of the main causes of cervical cancer is long lasting contamination or infection of certain types of the HPV i.e., Human Papilloma Virus which is a common virus. Usually, in the cases of HPV, the immune system reflexively beats the virus without any consequences. There can be many more causes for cervical cancer:-
- HIV Infection
- Smoking Tobacco
- Suppression of the immune system
- Obesity
- Continuity of oral contraceptives for a long time
- Pregnancy before the age of 18
- Poverty
- Having more than three full-term pregnancies
- Cervical cancer in family history
- Having many sexual partners
- Engaging in early sexual activities
Diagnosing Cervical Cancer
Typical screening procedure known as PAP testing is used to check if there is any abnormality in the cell growth near or at the cervix. If any observer, furthermore, a colposcopy procedure is performed. In this procedure, a lighted microscope is used to observe the outer surface of the cervix. Also, a small sample of tissue is taken up by a pathologist for examining it to check for any pre-cancerous changes or cancer. This process doesn’t require any anesthesia.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
In the early stages, there are no obvious visible symptoms. Some symptoms can be seen in the late stages which are:-
- Vaginal Bleeding – more than regular bleeding during the menstrual cycle, bleeding between the cycles or menstrual periods lasting longer than they usually do.
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal odor or discharge
If the cancer cells have spread wider in the nearby tissues, the symptoms may include:-
- Pain while urinating or blood in urine.
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite and weight.
- Swelling in legs and backaches.
- Dull feeling of illness.
- Nausea, swollen abdomen, constipation and vomiting.
- Fatigue
Cervical Cancer Treatment
Cervical cancer can be treated by Chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is the process in which medications are used to kill the cancer cells by directly injecting them in a vein. Most of the times, low doses of chemotherapy are combined with radiation therapy as chemotherapy tend to increase the effect of radiation therapy. Whereas, advanced cervical cancer which might not be curable are controlled by providing higher doses of chemo. Best cancer hospital in India provides adequate treatment for cervical cancer resulting in 90% successful treatments.
