Cervical Cancer - Symptoms, causes and treats
Cervical cancer is cancer that appears in the cervix of women. The cervix itself serves as the entrance to the uterus from the vagina. All women of all ages are at risk for cervical cancer. But, this disease tends to affect women who are sexually active.
In the early stages, cervical cancer usually has no symptoms. The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are vaginal bleeding that occurs after sex, outside of menstruation, or after menopause. Although there is bleeding, does not mean you have cervical cancer. To ascertain the cause of your condition, immediately ask your doctor. If cervical cancer is suspected, referral to a specialist will be given.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus or HPV. HPV is a collection of virus types that cause warts in the hands, feet, and genitals. There are many types of HPV, most of which are harmless viruses. But there are several types of HPV that interfere with cervical cells to function normally and can eventually trigger cancer. HPV is very commonly transmitted through sex and can be a cause of cervical cancer.
Of the many types of HPV, there are two types of HPV virus is the most dangerous, namely HPV 16 and HPV 18. Both types of this virus that causes 70 percent of cases of cervical cancer. Many women are unaware of being infected because this type of HPV does not cause symptoms. It is important to realize that this infection often occurs, although many infected women do not have cancer.
Condoms can protect you from HPV during sex, but not always perfect in preventing infection. When infected with HPV, the female immune system prevents the virus from injuring the uterus, but in some women, the HPV virus can last for years. This results in cells that are on the surface of the cervix turned into cancer cells.
Vaccines to prevent HPV infection at risk of causing cancer are readily available. Current HPV vaccination is a bivalent vaccine for HPV 16 and 18; quadrivalent vaccine for HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18; or nonavalent vaccine for 9 HPV types i.e. 4 types plus 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
For years, cells on the surface of the cervix have undergone many changes. These cells can slowly turn into cancer, but actually cell changes in the cervix can be detected early on. Treatment, when the cells are still in the pre-cancer stage, can be done so that the risk of cervical cancer can be reduced.
Screening for cervical cancer is also known as a Pap smear or smear test. Pap smears are useful for detecting if there are abnormal cells that potentially turn into cancer cells. When performing pap smears, cell samples are taken from the cervix and examined under a microscope.
Cervical screening is not a test for diagnosing cervical cancer. This test is used to check the health of cells in the cervix and to detect if any cells are abnormal. With the detection and removal of abnormal cells, cervical cancer can be prevented optimally. In most women, the test will show normal results. But about 5 percent of tests show abnormal changes in cervical cells.
These changes mostly do not lead to cancer, and abnormal cells may still return to normal by themselves. But, in some cases, cells that are abnormal need to be removed because of the potential to turn into cancer.
An abnormal smear test result does not mean a person has cervical cancer. Most abnormal results are caused by infection or the presence of cancer-risk cells that can be handled easily. It is recommended that women who are sexually active and aged 25-49 years are examined every three years. While women aged 50-64 years can be checked every five years. Call your doctor to find out more about this checkup.
Treatment of cervical cancer depends on several factors. Cervical cancer can be treated by surgery if the diagnosis is done at an early stage. In some cases, only the cervix is removed and the uterus can be left alone. In more serious conditions, the uterus needs to be completely removed. The surgical process for removal of the uterus is called a hysterectomy.
While the radiotherapy procedure is an alternative step for early-stage cervical cancer. In certain cases, radiotherapy can also be run side by side with surgery. For advanced cases of cervical cancer, usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some treatments can have severe and long-term side effects, including early menopause and sterility.
Complications often occur in women with cervical cancer. Complications can arise as a direct result of cancer or the side effects of the treatment performed. For example because of radiotherapy, surgery, or chemotherapy. Complications of cervical cancer are:
Complications are minor: small bleeding in the vagina and/or frequent urination.
Severe complications: severe bleeding and even renal failure.
The future of cervical cancer is determined by the diagnosis of the stage of cervical cancer received. Stage of gradual cervical cancer from one to four, where it describes the extent and development of cancer. The survival rate is at least five years after the diagnosis of cervical cancer, grouped into staging status:
Stadium 1 - 80-99 percent
Stage 2 - 60-90 percent
Stage 3 - 30-50 percent
Stage 4 - 20 percent
There is no one special way to prevent cervical cancer. But there are still some ways to reduce the risk of this cancer.
In the early stages, cervical cancer usually has no symptoms. The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are vaginal bleeding that occurs after sex, outside of menstruation, or after menopause. Although there is bleeding, does not mean you have cervical cancer. To ascertain the cause of your condition, immediately ask your doctor. If cervical cancer is suspected, referral to a specialist will be given.
Human Papillomavirus as the Main Cause of Cervical Cancer
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus or HPV. HPV is a collection of virus types that cause warts in the hands, feet, and genitals. There are many types of HPV, most of which are harmless viruses. But there are several types of HPV that interfere with cervical cells to function normally and can eventually trigger cancer. HPV is very commonly transmitted through sex and can be a cause of cervical cancer.
Of the many types of HPV, there are two types of HPV virus is the most dangerous, namely HPV 16 and HPV 18. Both types of this virus that causes 70 percent of cases of cervical cancer. Many women are unaware of being infected because this type of HPV does not cause symptoms. It is important to realize that this infection often occurs, although many infected women do not have cancer.
Condoms can protect you from HPV during sex, but not always perfect in preventing infection. When infected with HPV, the female immune system prevents the virus from injuring the uterus, but in some women, the HPV virus can last for years. This results in cells that are on the surface of the cervix turned into cancer cells.
Vaccines to prevent HPV infection at risk of causing cancer are readily available. Current HPV vaccination is a bivalent vaccine for HPV 16 and 18; quadrivalent vaccine for HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18; or nonavalent vaccine for 9 HPV types i.e. 4 types plus 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
The Importance of Screening Steps for Detecting Cervical Cancer
For years, cells on the surface of the cervix have undergone many changes. These cells can slowly turn into cancer, but actually cell changes in the cervix can be detected early on. Treatment, when the cells are still in the pre-cancer stage, can be done so that the risk of cervical cancer can be reduced.
Screening for cervical cancer is also known as a Pap smear or smear test. Pap smears are useful for detecting if there are abnormal cells that potentially turn into cancer cells. When performing pap smears, cell samples are taken from the cervix and examined under a microscope.
Cervical screening is not a test for diagnosing cervical cancer. This test is used to check the health of cells in the cervix and to detect if any cells are abnormal. With the detection and removal of abnormal cells, cervical cancer can be prevented optimally. In most women, the test will show normal results. But about 5 percent of tests show abnormal changes in cervical cells.
These changes mostly do not lead to cancer, and abnormal cells may still return to normal by themselves. But, in some cases, cells that are abnormal need to be removed because of the potential to turn into cancer.
An abnormal smear test result does not mean a person has cervical cancer. Most abnormal results are caused by infection or the presence of cancer-risk cells that can be handled easily. It is recommended that women who are sexually active and aged 25-49 years are examined every three years. While women aged 50-64 years can be checked every five years. Call your doctor to find out more about this checkup.
Stadium Level Determines Cervical Cancer Treatment
Treatment of cervical cancer depends on several factors. Cervical cancer can be treated by surgery if the diagnosis is done at an early stage. In some cases, only the cervix is removed and the uterus can be left alone. In more serious conditions, the uterus needs to be completely removed. The surgical process for removal of the uterus is called a hysterectomy.
While the radiotherapy procedure is an alternative step for early-stage cervical cancer. In certain cases, radiotherapy can also be run side by side with surgery. For advanced cases of cervical cancer, usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some treatments can have severe and long-term side effects, including early menopause and sterility.
Complications Due to Cervical Cancer
Complications often occur in women with cervical cancer. Complications can arise as a direct result of cancer or the side effects of the treatment performed. For example because of radiotherapy, surgery, or chemotherapy. Complications of cervical cancer are:
Complications are minor: small bleeding in the vagina and/or frequent urination.
Severe complications: severe bleeding and even renal failure.
Life Expectancy of Cervical Cancer Patients
The future of cervical cancer is determined by the diagnosis of the stage of cervical cancer received. Stage of gradual cervical cancer from one to four, where it describes the extent and development of cancer. The survival rate is at least five years after the diagnosis of cervical cancer, grouped into staging status:
Stadium 1 - 80-99 percent
Stage 2 - 60-90 percent
Stage 3 - 30-50 percent
Stage 4 - 20 percent
There is no one special way to prevent cervical cancer. But there are still some ways to reduce the risk of this cancer.
