A dangerous type of cancer called cervical cancer is a threat to women. Happening in the lower part of the uterus, which connects to the vagina, cervical cancer occurs when the cells in that area grow abnormally. This type of cancer can also be linked to sexually transmitted infections such as HPV. In this article, we will dive into the medical field and learn more about the risks and common cervical cancer symptoms. So, stay tuned.
What Is Cervical Cancer?
A common type of cancer among women is cervical cancer, which occurs in the cervix. When the normal cells grow uncontrolled and abnormally, cells on the cervix start to change to precancerous cells, causing severe pain and other negative effects.
What Is Cervical Cancer?
Studies show that common reasons for cervical cancer are sexually transmitted infections such as human papillomavirus infection, leading cells to produce uncontrolled.
It is estimated that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women around the world, and many of them can lead to deaths based on their stage and treatment availability. Nevertheless, this type of cancer can be cured with the right diagnosis.
Types of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is more than one type. In general, there are two types of cervical cancer, and it depends on the kind of cells that are in the cervix.
The most common type is “Squamous Cell Carcinoma,” which makes up 80 percent of cervical cancer cases. This type develops slowly and starts with thin, flat cells that line the outer part of the cervix. Another type of cervical cancer is known as Adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma, being less common than the other type, has about 10 to 20 percent of cases and starts the changing of cells from the inner side of the cervix. This type is also a bit tricker than Squamous Cell Carcinoma and is hard to diagnose. Adenocarcinoma mainly happens among younger women.
Stages of Cervical Cancer
Stages of Cervical Cancer are divided into 4 phases. The first stage of cervical cancer may be found in the neck of the cervix. Usually, in this stage, the cancer cells haven’t spread yet.
The second stage of cervical cancer is the phase where the cancer has spread to the cervix and uterus. In the third stage, cancer spreads to the pelvic wall, which is the lower part of the vagina and the tubes that carry urine.
The fourth stage of cervical cancer is when the cancer has spread to all parts of the body, such as the bladder, rectum, and other parts, such as bones.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
Interestingly, for many people, cervical cancer doesn’t show any symptoms, and some people may find it hard to diagnose cervical cancer on their own. Hence, the symptoms of cervical cancer can include watery or bloody vaginal discharge that may seem heavier.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
Also, unusual vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause can also be a symptom of cervical cancer. Moreover, pelvic pain, especially during sex, can be noticeable as a cervical cancer symptom. If you have difficult or painful urination, sometimes with blood in your urine, that also can be a red flag for cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer Causes
Cervical cancer causes are mainly related to HPV, which is a sexually transmitted infection. HPB includes more than 100 strains.
The most dangerous ones causing cervical cancer are HPV 16 and HPV 18, which are considered high-risk and can lead to cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted through anal, oral, or vaginal sexual contact, and if the body doesn’t clear the infection, it causes cells to change to cancerous cells.
Cervical Cancer Treatment
Treatment options for cervical cancer firstly vary based on age and the stage of cancer. As there are 4 stages of cervical cancer, the treatment type also differs for each. Generally, cervical cancer treatments are radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Radiation targets the cancer from outside of the body, and it involves using high-energy beams to kill the cells. This option is for advanced-stage cervical cancer. This method can also be used internally.
Chemotherapy is like radiation, but it involves using injected drugs to kill the cancer cells. The injection goes through your blood, and it is an effective method.
Targeted therapy means using drugs and medications to kill certain cancer cells and keeping the healthy cells alive. This treatment option is best for the first stages of cancer to control the spreading of cells.
Similar to targeted therapy, immunotherapy aims to stimulate the immune system to recognize cancer cells and clear them out. This method involves using medicine.
Surgery is also a treatment option for cervical cancer. Common types of surgery for cervical cancer include laser surgery, cryosurgery, hysterectomy, and trachelectomy.
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
Some risk factors increase the chance of getting cervical cancer. One of the important things that people should consider is doing Pap tests from time to time, as it can detect precancerous cells. Moreover, HPV infection is the biggest reason for getting cervical cancer, so people should keep their sexual history clean.
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
Other risk factors for cervical cancer are smoking and HIV Infection. Smoking a lot of cigarettes increases the chance of getting cervical cancer. Last but not least, a weak immune system is also unable to fight infections, so remember to balance and strengthen your immune system all the time.
How to Prevent Cervical Cancer?
Although cervical cancer can be cured completely, and it is one of the highly treatable cancer types, there are certain options to avoid getting cervical cancer and prevent it.
A must-do thing is to get regular gynecological exams and Pap tests. These exams can easily detect the threats in your body ahead. Another thing to do to prevent cervical cancer is to get a cervical cancer vaccine known as the HPV vaccine. Getting a cervical cancer vaccine (HPV Vaccine) can boost your immune system’s ability to recognize infections.
Moreover, if you are a smoker, you should stop smoking or using any other tobacco-related products. Lastly, limiting sexual partners and using protection (condoms or other methods) can also prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer Facts
- Cervical cancer may not come with symptoms most of the time.
- There are two types of Cervical Cancer: squamous cell carcinomas (common one) and adenocarcinomas (less common).
- Cervical cancer has 4 stages.
- Most of the time, cervical cancer is curable, and the best thing to do is recognize it ahead with Pap tests or other exams.
- The survival rate for cervical cancer varies based on its stage. If it hasn’t spread, the survival rate is about 85 percent.
- There are different treatment options for cervical cancer, such as radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy.
Cervical Cancer Week
Final Words
Cervical cancer is a dangerous type of cancer, and it has developed over the years. It can threaten lives and should be treated immediately before advancing to the next stages. Cervical cancer affects the whole system of the body. An untreated cervical cancer can grow more cancer cells in the cervix and affect more. However, there are vaccinations and preventable options for Cervical Cancer, and raising awareness and promoting vaccination can lead to good results. Overall, the good news is that this type of cancer is preventable and treatable.
