Cervical Cancer - All You Need to Know

What is cervical cancer?

Cells that begin to grow in the cervix might develop into cervical cancer. The lowest portion of the uterus that joins the vagina is called the cervix. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is responsible for most cervical malignancies and comes in different strains.

Some Symptoms

At first one may not see any symptoms. However, later there may be vaginal bleeding post intercourse, after menopause, or in between periods; heavier menstrual bleeding; unusual vaginal discharge; and pelvic pain. Visit a doctor if you are concerned.

What is the cause?

The development of DNA alterations in healthy cervix cells is the first step toward cervical cancer. The instructions that inform a cell what to do are encoded in its DNA. The alterations instruct the cells to proliferate rapidly. When healthy cells would naturally perish as a part of their life cycle, the cells survive. There are too many cells results in potential tumors.

2 Types - Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that are the first to form in this type of cervical cancer. Along the outside of the cervix are squamous cells. Squamous cell carcinomas make up the majority of cervical malignancies.

2 Types - Adenocarcinoma

The columnar gland cells lining the cervical canal are where this particular type of cervical cancer starts.

Risk factors

Risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking tobacco, increasing number of sexual partners, being sexually active at an early age, having other sexually transmitted infections, a weaker immune system, and consuming miscarriage prevention medicine (diethylstilbestrol or DES).

Prevention

Some ways to reduce your risk of cervical cancer are asking your doctor about the HPV vaccine, doing routine Pap tests, practicing safe sex, and not smoking.

Treatment

Radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy or surgery may be utilized for cervical cancer in its early stages. The major treatment for later stages is typically a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy is frequently used in isolation to treat advanced cervical cancer.